Community R6’s offense sputtered in the early going, but that hardly seemed to matter as the Trojans steadily pulled away from Higbee to claim a 62-23 district semifinal win over Higbee on …
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Community R6’s offense sputtered in the early going, but that hardly seemed to matter as the Trojans steadily pulled away from Higbee to claim a 62-23 district semifinal win over Higbee on Wednesday night.
The top seeded Trojans advanced to the district title game for the fourth consecutive year. They faced three-seed Jamestown on Friday.
At first the 23-1 Trojans struggled against the Tigers zone with the Class 1 District 10 trophy looming. Alexis Welch and Brianna Beamer put Community up 4-2, but almost three minutes elapsed before they found the net again.
“It’s always an adjustment to the defense,” explained Emma Hombs. “But I’m glad we were able to figure it out.”
Once Community deciphered Higbee’s stingy 1-3-1, however, it was like opening a faucet. Sarah Angel sank a jumper. She then romped coast to coast for a layup. Emma Angel picked off a Tigers pass and followed suit. Then it was Welch, taking advantage of a laser pass from Shelby Clark.
The Trojans scored 8 points in less than 90 seconds to take a 14-2 lead at the end of one.
“I thought we were a little tight,” coach Bob Curtis observed. “It was not our best offensive night, but defensively...”
Community’s defense never allowed the visitors more than 8 points in a quarter. And with Angel, Olivia Kuda and especially Emmi Johnson grabbing rebounds and giving second chance opportunities, the Tigers couldn’t get into rhythm.
“Emmi Johnson was a spark,” Welch said.
The Trojans defense ignited the offense. Ten different players put points on the board. And crisp passing from Beamer and Sarah Angel gave post players plenty of opportunities.
Four players rotated to the post, accounting for 32 of the team’s 62 points.
“Brianna passed the ball really well,” Welch noted, adding that the remarkable timing – the ball arriving as Community’s standout forward found space in the paint left her thinking “this is a gift.”
An 18-0 run that lasted much of the third quarter sealed the victory. It started with a cross court pass from Emma Angel to Beamer, open beyond the arc. Then Beamer found Welch in the paint.
Hombs and Sarah Angel would join in the fun soon after.
Welch poured in 16 on the night. Beamer put up 11. Sarah Angel and Emma Hombs added 8 each, with Kuda knocked down 6.
Also on board were Johnson (4), Clark (3), Kayla Jett, Paige Meyer and Emma Angel (2 each).
