Gilman City's girls won two tough games last week and held off an improving Winston squad Monday to push their winning streak to 14 games. It is their longest winning streak in recent memory, dating back to at least the 2008-2009 season. They won their 17th game; they also won 17 games during the 2022-23 season.
Their first game was against Grundy County for the HDC Conference title on Tuesday, February 4th. Both teams were unbeaten in conference play and the Panthers were catching fire at the right time, but the Hawks played one of their best quarters of the year in jumping out to an 11-4 lead. Avery Gregg had 5 points in the quarter and Khloey Sperry had 4. They held their own against the Panthers, taking a 21-14 lead at the half.
But the third quarter was a different story as Kinsley Alnutt, Grundy County's leading scorer, rained 10 points and two 3-pointers and the Panthers had four 3-pointers in the third quarter. At one point, they even had the lead before the Hawks tied it at 30 going into the fourth quarter. The Hawks adjusted and stopped the bleeding, doing a better job of guarding the shooters, but the game remained tied at 38 late in the game. The Panthers fouled Kelsey Sperry, who hadn't scored all night, and she stepped up and made both free throws. Grundy County missed a 3-pointer at the end and Gilman City came away with a 40-38 win to clinch at least a tie for the conference title and get their 12th straight win. Khloey Sperry and Shelby Gibson had 11 each, Avery Gregg and Alli Burke had 8 each, and Kelsey Sperry had 2.
They had to win to clinch the conference title outright, but they had to travel to another tough road game to Cainsville to face East Harrison. The Cainsville gym sported a brand new floor that was an adjustment for the players, and Cainsville was having its Courtwarming and its Senior Night. They were pulling out all the stops to take this one. Sure enough, Karlee Crouse went off in the first quarter as the Bobcats led 16-15 after one. The Hawks fought back to take a 28-25 lead at the half, but nothing was decided yet. Finally, two factors tipped the game in Gilman City's favor. They put Alli Burke, who is taller, on Crouse instead of Avery Gregg. Then, Avery Gregg started getting open in the corner and hitting shots at will. The Hawks jumped out to a 44-35 lead at the end of three. With the conference title on the line, Avery Gregg carried the team on her shoulders, scoring all 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Hawks came away with the 55-45 win.
Avery Gregg had a career high of 23 for the Hawks. Khloey Sperry had 15, Alli Burke had 10, and Shelby Gibson 7.
The Hawks began the HDC Tournament Monday in a rematch against Winston. The Redbirds fell hard in the second half of the first meeting between the two teams, but despite the fact they were mired in a seven game losing streak, it was misleading as they played good teams like Albany, Grundy County, Tri-County, and Hardin Central tough. The frustration level was high for them Monday, but they were showing improvement even during that stretch.
The focus of the Redbirds' strategy was to shut down Khloey Sperry, who hung 30 points on them the first time, and make someone else beat them. They played four players man to man and used their fifth to double Sperry so she wouldn't get the ball inside. But after Rosalynn Cameron went backdoor for the Redbirds for the first points, the Hawks took advantage as Shelby Gibson, the person left alone, drove twice into the lane early, including an and-one bucket. Kelsey Sperry got loose in transition and Khloey Sperry got on the board twice anyway as she got a steal for a layup and went coast to coast for another. The Hawks led 12-2 at the 4:11 mark.
Winston switched to a diamond and one on Khloey Sperry and managed to stop the bleeding for a time. They were rebounding much better than the first time, different players besides Shealyn Pliley were stepping up, and they have had a way of hanging around, even against good teams. Avery Taylor's steal cut it to 17-9 early in the second. Avery Gregg found Khloey Sperry inside, but Rosalynn Cameron, showing some newfound aggression, got loose in transition to cut it to 19-11.
But then Gilman City went through one of those stretches where everything they threw up was getting a friendly roll and going in. Kelsey Sperry hit Shelby Gibson inside and Colbi Webb came off the bench to score after Avery Gregg set her up with a drive down the right baseline to make it 23-11. Pliley cut it to 23-13, but then Avery Gregg got it to Khloey Sperry inside, Alli Burke twice scored off drives, and a quick outlet from Pyper Taggart to Alli Burke set up Avery Gregg to make it 31-13 at the half.
Alli Burke hit from the right side after Avery Gregg got a steal and then Shelby Gibson hit two free throws after a pass from Kelsey Sperry to make it 35-13 to start the third. Gilman City started subbing, but Winston frequently hangs around even against good teams, and sure enough, they started their run. Winston suddenly started crashing the boards and keeping possessions alive and it started to pay off. Reiann Hampton showed a newfound spin move, getting two free throws and a layup. Pliley got loose for two 3-pointers, and Rosalynn Cameron showed a newfound ability to jump passes and create havoc on defense. The Hawk lead shrunk rapidly, with the Redbirds getting to within 35-25 at the start of the fourth quarter.
But then Shelby Gibson connected from inside to stop the bleeding and then Avery Gregg put the team on her shoulders, hitting a 3-pointer to get the Hawks out of danger, putting them up 40-25. Pliley cut it to 40-27, but Gregg hit another 3-pointer and Khloey Sperry got a steal and drive to make it 45-27 for the dagger with 2:16 left.
Khloey Sperry had 13 points for the Hawks. Just as importantly, she held Pliley to 11 points and two assists for the night. Shelby Gibson had 11, Alli Burke and Avery Gregg had 8, Kelsey Sperry 5, and Colbi Webb 2.
Khloey Sperry had 3 blocks. Kelsey Sperry had 1.
Khloey Sperry and Kelsey Sperry had 7 boards. Shelby Gibson had 6, Alli Burke 4, Avery Gregg 2, and Colbi Webb and Pyper Taggart had 1 each.
Avery Gregg had 7 assists. Alli Burke had 4, Kelsey Sperry 4, Shelby Gibson 2, and Khloey Sperry 1.
Shelby Gibson and Avery Gregg had 3 tips. Kelsey Sperry and Khloey Sperry had 1 each.
Avery Gregg had 4 steals. Kelsey Sperry had 3, Khloey Sperry and Alli Burke had 2, and Shelby Gibson 1.
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