Lady Trojans take IESA Class 7-3A regional title

By Jeff Benjamin

[November 23, 2011]  This time of the year, "Hail to the Victors" is usually the song reserved for the Maize and Blue up Ann Arbor way. However, with all due respect to Michigan (although is there any respect for Michigan in Illini country?) that song would have been most appropriate on Tuesday as the Lady Trojans of Lincoln Junior High School captured an IESA Class 7-3A regional title, extending their season at least one more game next week. 

LJHS' 38-20 victory over Blue Mound Meridian improved their season record to 18-3 and secured their spot in next Wednesday's sectional matchup at Tri-Valley Middle School in Downs. They will take on the winner of the tonight's Washington Central School Regional. 

The Lady Trojans took control of the game early, thanks to Danielle D'Andrea, as she scored all eight points in the first quarter. Not just all eight for LJHS, but all eight in the quarter, as the defense threw up a zero for the first six minutes. D'Andrea finished with a game-high 25 points.  

The second quarter was much more balanced offensively as the Hawks attempted to deny D'Andrea the ball. LJHS got six inside points in the quarter from Josalyn Owens and a pair of free throws from Rylee Mills. As hard as the defense tried, D'Andrea added four to her total in the quarter, leaving the Lady Trojans well in control, up 20-2 at halftime. 

Whether it was No. 1 seed LJHS easing up a bit with the 18-point lead, or Meridian's desire to not go down without a fight, the second half was much different. After a 6-0 run drew the Hawks (15-9) closer, a timeout for the Lady Trojans seemed to remind the home squad that Meridian came in as the No. 2 seed, and they were starting to play like it. Lincoln's scoring in the quarter started with a Grace Bossingham free throw, followed by three baskets in a row from D'Andrea. As the quarter closed, two free throws from Owens and another D'Andrea bucket closed out the scoring as the Lady Trojans went to the fourth quarter up 31-12.

The fourth quarter again saw the Hawks try to climb back in, but there was enough Lady Trojan defense to thwart any attempt at a comeback. Even though the Hawks won the fourth quarter, it was too much LJHS. Owens scored the first basket of the quarter, and D'Andrea, who scored the first eight in the game, wrapped up the Lincoln points by scoring the final six of the night.   

D'Andrea led with 25 points, Owens finished in double figures with 10, Mills added two, and Bossingham scored one.   

So, after the 34-14 win on Monday night over Argenta-Oreana to put them in the regional final, the final home game of the year saw the Lady Trojans standing proud with their regional championship.   

If you're planning on going to the contest in Downs, you can find directions by using the school's address of 505 E. Washington St. in Downs.  Game time is 6 p.m.   

Members of the regional championship squad are, in alphabetical order, Carrie Benjamin, Emma Bergman, Grace Bossingham, Aubria Cannon, Cierra Crowell, Danielle D'Andrea, Madison Fulk, Sami Johnson, Kelsey Lee, Rylee Mills, Josalyn Owens, Belle Smith, Ariana Spencer and Brittany Trent. The coaches this season are Megan Hoffert and Deb Rodgers. 

Good luck to the Lady Trojans next week. Who knows? There may be need for a bigger trophy case at LJHS by the time the Lady Trojans end their run. 

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Scoring by quarters:

LJHS (18-3)  8-12-11-7  38
Meridian (15-9)  0-2-10-8    20 

[By JEFF BENJAMIN]