Merrillville's Audrianna Downs tries to get the shot off against Hobart's Autumn Beal in the first quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Merrillville's Victoria Gaines steals the ball from Hobart's Autumn Beal in the first quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Merrillville's Dariyan Morris goes to the basket against Hobart's Kara Cooke early in the first quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Hobart's Caitlin Leath gets to the basket ahead of Merrillville's Amber Sturdivant early in the second quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Hobart's Kara Cooke goes to the basket Merrillville's Audrianna Downs in the second quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Hobart's Zoe Wilson tries to get the ball from Merrillville's Jaz Talley in the second quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Michigan City's Michal Miller takes a shot over LaPorte's Delanie Alcorn in the third quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Michigan City's Aubria Smith gets the basket in the fourth quarter with LaPorte's Kesley Gushrowski defending during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Hobart's Morgan Flaharty takes an open three pointer late in the second quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Merrillville's Anjelica Peppers launches a three pointer while time expires in the second quarter to give Merrillville a 33-17 lead over Hobart during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Michigan City's Keshyana Cooper goes past LaPorte's Kelsey Gruchrowski and Jocelyn Colburn to the basket in the third quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Michigan City's Toni Murphy looks to the basket against LaPorte in the fourth quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

LaPorte's Kelsey Gushrowski takes a shot with against Michigan City in the third quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

LaPorte's Jocelyn Colburn looks to pass the ball off with pressure from Michigan City's Toni Murphy in the third quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

LaPorte's Jocelyn Colburn tries to stop Michigan City's Jameka Collins going to the basket in the third quarter during the sectional semifinal at Portage High School Friday night. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media