WHS heads to finals

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Lady Hatchet fans brought a "white out" to historic Cabby O'Neill Gym on Friday T. Daniel Lancaster

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February 10, 2012

By T. Daniel Lancaster Washington Times-Herald The Washington Times-Herald Fri Feb 10, 2012, 10:43 PM EST

JASPER — JASPER — If your name started with an “H” then you probably had a big part in the Hatchets’ semifinal 3A sectional win at Jasper’s historic Cabby O’Neill Gym on Friday night.

Claire Hatton, Ally Hunsinger and Chelsey Hedrick were all in double figures in the Lady Hatchets, 49-41 win over Heritage Hills, while Madi Heacock provided two points, solid ball handling and defense in the victory.

Hatton had three 3-pointers while on her way to 17 points to lead WHS, while Hedrick and Hunsinger both posted 15.

Although the final score may have looked like WHS coasted to the victory, it was anything but the case. WHS was locked in a dogfight for most of the night, leading by only two with three minutes left to play. However, WHS was 15-19 from the free throw line and were able to hold off the Lady Patriots, once the game came down to foul shooting.

“When it comes down to the sectional atmospheres, ‘anything goes’” said WHS coach Gretchen Miles. “It is always easy to say it is good to be in a tight game when you are on the winning end, but truthfully, I really liked the way we held our composure and our senior leadership really stepped up. We did a good job of not getting rattled. It comes down to the fact that you have to find a way to win — and we did.”

Early treys from Hattton and Hunsinger gave the Lady Hatchets a 10-6 lead, but as Heritage Hills began to rally, Hunsinger finished off the quarter with a pair of buckets to give WHS the 14-8 lead after the first quarter.

Neither team was able to open with much offense in the second quarter, until Hatton hit her second trey of the night. The Hatchets then traded baskets in the final minute with Hatton again scoring, holding Heritage Hills to a five-point deficit at the end of the half, 24-19.

Things tightened up considerably in the opening minutes of the third, as the Lady Pats were able to tie the game at 26. However, Hatton again scored to break the tie, while Hedrick scored on a put back to break another tie at 28. WHS picked up the last three points of the quarter and led 33-28 going into the final eight minutes.

Heritage Hill began a run in the opening seconds of the quarter with a long jumper, but again Hatton would answer with the trey.

“There was a time, when we started to have trouble around the basket and Ally (Hunsinger) got in some foul trouble, Heritage Hills started to creep back, but Claire hit a big 3-point shot.

“In the second half, I thought our guards did a better job of finding the post. When they found Ally on the block, she came up with some crucial points for us,” Miles said.

Heritage Hills would get as close as 38-36, but WHS would make seven of eight free throws down the stretch to salt away the victory.

Miles said she loved playing in the intimate O’Neill gym and was very proud of the fans who made it down to the game.

“This is a great venue for girls basketball. When uou pack the house and you can’t believe how loud it gets,” said Miles. “I thought our cheer block was fantastic. I would put them up against any two cheer blocks combined. They are so supportive and I think the crowd is really entertained by them too.”

The Lady Hatchets will now face Jasper in the finals at 7 p.m. The Lady Wildcats defeated Vincennes Lincoln, 45-32 in the second game.

“We know we are playing a lot better than we did when we played them and lost back in December,” added Miles. “Their big guns are Megan Sternberg and Shelby Merder. Sternberg had 26 against us, so she is going to have to be our biggest concern. 20 of those points were on put backs, so we have to get a body against her.”

The pair combined for 21 in the Lincoln game.

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