Sharpshooters Reach State Championship Game

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Published on December 16 2013 8:59 am
Last Updated on December 16 2013 9:34 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Sigel St. Michael has reached the championship game of the Class 1A 8th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament.

The Sharpshooters won their quarterfinal game Saturday 30-21 over Morton Blessed Sacrament and then battled their way through the semifinal game before winning over Augusta Southeastern 32-30 to reach the championship tilt.

The semifinal game was tied 5-5 after one quarter but Southeastern was ahead 17-12 at halftime and 27-21 after three quarters.  The Sharpshooters came roaring back in the final quarter, though and took their first lead of the game on free throws with two minutes to play.  Southeastern cut into the St. Michael lead, but St. Michael hit one of two free throws to go back up by two and that proved to be the final margin of victory.

Jolene Bueker led the Sharpshooters in scoring in the semifinal game with 15 points.  Leah Jansen scored six points, Shanna Niebrugge and Sadie Bueker each scored five points, and Bailey Schumacher scored one point.

Jolene Bueker also was top scorer in the quarterfinal game with 17 points.  Leah Jansen was also in double figures with 10 points, Bailey Schumacher scored two points and Sadie Bueker added one point.

St. Michael is now 22-3 on the season.  Coach Dennis Ruholl and the Sharpshooters will take on undefeated Danville Schlarman for the state championshp on Thursday at 7:30pm at Clinton Junior High School. Schlarman has already won 23 games and their 7th grade team won its state championship last week finishing 22-0.

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At the 8-3A State Tournament, Jasper County found itself down 8-0 after the first quarter in their quarterfinal game against Eureka and could never recover.  Jasper County was down 19-7 at halftime and 27-14 after three quarters before Eureka outscored them 12-7 in the final quarter to post a 37-21 victory.

Abby Frohning led Jasper County with 12 points.  Michaela Baker scored three points and Mariah Earnest and Alexis Cox each scored two points.

Jasper County ended their season with a 22-3 record.  Congratulations to Coach Josh Benefiel and the girls on a great season!