Morgan, Covenant move on at Washington Twp.

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Updated: March 9, 2012 8:20AM

VALPARAISO — Morgan Township and Covenant Christian advanced to the semifinals of the Class 1A Washington Township girls basketball sectional on Tuesday, both by double-digit margins.

Host Washington Township made a late rally but came up short, falling 57-43 in the second game of the night.

In the opening game, Courtney Osby scored 11 first-quarter points for Morgan Township, which advanced with a 73-19 victory over Gary 21st Century.

Washington Township (7-13) trailed by as many as 15 in the second half, but cut the lead to 40-37 midway through the fourth quarter. Covenant Christian (13-8) responded with a 7-0 run, then pulled away late behind two key baskets from Katy Long (10 points, 12 rebounds).

Amy Hamstra had 19 points for Covenant Christian, which used its superior height to control the boards. Rachel Schurman had 13 points and 16 rebounds for the Knights.

Kacie Corley scored 14 points and had eight rebounds for the hosts. Maddie Johnson scored nine points for the Senators, and Heather Burton had eight.

Washington Township had beaten Covenant Christian when the two teams met during the regular season, back in November.

Morgan Township (11-10) scored the first 10 points of its game, and led 26-4 at the end of the first quarter and 43-11 at the half.

Osby led the winners with 13 points, all in the first half.

“She came out very aggressive, and that’s what we preached, to come out aggressive against this team,” Morgan Township coach Kevin Krieger said. “I thought the whole first group played well, along with Courtney.”

Ashley Kuder had nine points for Morgan Township, and Trina Coleman, Lauren Bobinski and Alison Goetz added eight points each. Coleman had five steals.

Indea Graham scored 15 points for 21st Century (3-16).

Morgan Township faces LaCrosse, and Covenant Christian plays Kouts in the semifinals Friday, with the winners playing in Saturday’s championship game.

“LaCrosse has been getting better throughout the season,” Krieger said.