Girls basketball: Noll, Whiting to meet again in 2A final
By Billy Evans Post-Tribune correspondent February 8, 2013 10:42PM
Updated: March 10, 2013 6:49AM
LAKE STATION — Turnovers plagued both teams early in the first quarter and continued throughout the first half of Friday’s first semifinal of the Class 2A River Forest Sectional.
In the end, it was Whiting holding off Wheeler 47-33. The Oilers will face Bishop Noll for the third time this season in Saturday’s championship after the Warriors cruised past Lake Station 63-30 in Friday’s second semifinal.
Whiting’s Brianna Blackwell had two 3-pointers in the first quarter to keep her squad ahead of the Bearcats. Nickole Finch kept Wheeler in the game by tying it up 14-14 in the second quarter with only 1:42 left.
After Whiting scored again on transition, with seconds left, there was a quick steal and pass to junior Citlali Lopez for a quick 3-pointer to give the Oilers (19-3) a 19-14 halftime lead.
Whiting kept the Bearcats at least three points most of the third quarter before pulling away. The Oilers’ defense held Wheeler (9-14) to just seven points in the fourth quarter. Turnovers cost Wheeler down the stretch.
Blackwell had seven points in the fourth quarter on her way to a game-high 18.
Bishop Noll, fresh off a win against Bowman Academy in the first round, started on a roll Friday night against Lake Station. The Warriors (20-2) went on a 15-0 run early in the first quarter with two 3-pointers from freshmen Naomi House, six points from junior Elena Sobilo and 3-pointers from Colleen Kearney and Brenda Pennington.
The Warriors built a 23-point halftime lead and never looked back.
Sophomore Desiree Parrillo led Lake Station (5-16) with 12 points.
“I was real happy with the play of all of our girls tonight,” Bishop Noll coach Vanita Gary said. “All of us a really excited (to face Whiting again).”
