Defending 2A state champion North Butler held off an upset by Manson-Northwest Webster to advance to the semifinals.Erin Brocka’s layup with five seconds remaining was the game winner as the top ranked Bearcats won a low scoring affair 37-35.It was one of the few times Brocka took the ball inside. Eight of her 11 shots in the game were from behind the three point arc.
Both teams struggled to score and each finished with only 12 field goals in the contest. The difference was North Butler’s ability to score with the clock running down. The Bearcats scored in the final seven seconds of every quarter.
The Cougars had a 33-32 lead after a basket by Jacque Markert with just over four minutes remaining but missed a number of opportunities to build the lead. Indy Uhlenhopp led North Butler with 12 points as the Bearcats take a 26-0 record into the semifinals. Rachel Tague led the Cougars with 11 as they close the season with a mark of 23-3.
Sixth ranked Davenport Assumption opened the third quarter with a quick 8-0 burst to take the lead for good in a 48-38 victory over Western Christian in another opening round game in class 2A. The game had been tied 19-19 at the halftime break and Assumption coach Todd Borrison had an animated halftime speech for his team. After being outrebounded by a lopsided margain in the opening half the Knights truned it around in half number two.
Western Christian coach Katie Bleeker says the start of the third quarter was the difference.Western Christian closes out the season with a record of 15-11. Assumption takes a 24-2 record into the 2A semifinal round.