Lani Briggs did all she could to help North Harrison win Thursday night, posting 15 points. But Khloey Sperry went beast mode for Gilman City, posting 19 points and 17 boards as the state-ranked Hawks did nothing to hurt their #6 ranking, beating North Harrison 51-34.
The Hawks were without their coach, Kaitlyn Eoff, who was having a baby. She also missed the next night, a road trip to archrival Tri-County. But it didn’t matter as the Hawks kept winning with a 47-27 win over the Mustangs, their district final opponent from last year. Assistant Danny Lisle managed the team, while Eric Lewis, looking different in blue, came out of retirement and back onto the bench to assist.
Gilman City is enjoying some parallels to the 2008 season, when they set a school record with 24 wins. That year, their coach, Tina Holt, also had a baby, Kash during the course of the season. If the name sounds familiar, Kash Holt is a major force for Princeton’s boys squad this year.
The first meeting between the two squads was a neck and neck battle at Gallatin before Gilman City pulled away. But this time, Avery Gregg started stealing the ball early and often to put the Hawks in front. Khloey Sperry followed with some free throws to give Gilman City a 10-4 lead. Ava Rinehart hit a 3-pointer to stop the bleeding, but Sperry, who was getting hammered all night, hit another free throw and Gregg converted off a Hailey McClure steal to make it 13-7 after one. Gregg started the second quarter with a 3-pointer and Alli Burke hit another to make it 19-7.
North Harrison tried to rally after Addison Milligan got an offensive board and Jaxcynn Hansel fed Hali Smith, who drew a foul and hit two free throws to make it 19-9. But soon after, Hansel went to the bench with three fouls. The Shamrocks would hold their own with Hansel, their best shot-blocker and rebounder, on the floor, but would struggle against the relentless Hawk rebounding attack when she was on the bench. Sperry hit another free throw and Paisley Taggart hit a free throw and then went back door and got a pass from Alli Burke to make it 23-9.
North Harrison had a glimmer of hope at the end of the half when Gracie Young hit a free throw and Ava Rinehart stuffed the much taller Pyper Taggart, rushed it up the floor, and fed Lani Briggs at the halftime buzzer to make it 23-13.
But Khloey Sperry carried the Hawks on her shoulders, airing one out to Avery Gregg for a fast break and two free throws. Sperry then flung the ball out for another long pass, and Hailey McClure tracked it down and fed Alli Burke for three to make it 28-13.
The Shamrocks kept hanging around as Ava Rinehart scored twice and Lani Briggs scored off a drive to keep it at 32-19. But then Alli Burke stepped around Hansel and got the benefit of a charge/block call to draw her fourth foul, and Gilman City began to pull away again. Khloey Sperry got to the line after a third-chance try and hit two, Tenley Griffith got on the board with a baseline shot, and Avery Gregg cashed in off a Hailey McClure steal to make it 38-19.
Despite Hansel being on the bench, North Harrison found new life when Ava Rinehart hit a 3-pointer, Hali Smith scored from inside, and Lani Briggs added a free throw to cut it to 38-25. But once again, Khloey Sperry carried the Hawks on her back in the fourth, scoring 10 of her 19 points, slashing to the rim at will, and adding a coast to coast layup. Alli Burke added three as Gilman City led by as much as 51-29. Lani Briggs did all she could for the Shamrocks, getting seven in the quarter, but it wasn’t enough.
For North Harrison, Lani Briggs had 15, Ava Rinehart 10, Hali Smith 8, and Jaxcynn Hansel 1.
Jaxcynn Hansel had 3 blocks. Hali Smith and Ava Rinehart had 2 each.
Jaxcynn Hansel had 10 boards. Hali Smith had 9, Addison Milligan and Gracie Young 7, Lani Briggs 5, Raegan Hogan 3, Ava Rinehart 2, and Kaydence Lambert 1.
Ava Rinehart and Addison Milligan had 3 assists each. Hali Smith and Jaxcynn Hansel had 2 each while Kaydence Lambert had 1.
Addison Milligan had 3 tips. Hali Smith, Lani Briggs, and Ava Rinehart had 2. Gracie Young had 1.
Lani Briggs had 4 steals. Hali Smith had 3, Addison Milligan 2, and Ava Rinehart 2.
For Gilman City, Khloey Sperry had 19 points. Alli Burke had 14, Avery Gregg 13, Paisley Taggart 3, and Tenley Griffith 2.
Khloey Sperry had 6 blocks. Tenley Griffith had 1.
Khloey Sperry had 17 boards. Tenley Griffith had 14, Avery Gregg had a career high 9, Hailey McClure and Alli Burke 3, and Paisley Taggart 2.
Hailey McClure had 5 assists. Alli Burke, Avery Gregg, and Khloey Sperry had 4.
Tenley Griffith, Khloey Sperry, Ava Rinehart, and Alli Burke all had 3 tips. Paisley Taggart and Hailey McClure had 2 each.
Avery Gregg and Khloey Sperry had 4 steals. Tenley Griffith, Hailey McClure, and Alli Burke had 2 each.
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