Girls basketball: Bowman wins second straight sectional title

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Updated: March 13, 2012 10:42AM

LAKE STATION — For the second year in a row, Bowman Academy is a sectional champion — this time in Class 2A.

Facing another defending sectional champion in Wheeler, the Eagles started strong and finished stronger for a 70-56 victory.

“From where we started to where we are now; this is a great feeling,” said Bowman coach Janora Holmes. “This is another ‘first’ for our school. Our girls have created a lot of those and I’m just happy to be their coach and to be a part of it.”

In the first quarter, Wheeler’s offense crumbled under the pressure of Bowman’s defense, committing nine turnovers in the game’s first eight minutes. Using the momentum generated by those turnovers, Bowman took off on a 14-1 run. The Eagles led 18-9 after one period and extended that lead to 30-15 in the second quarter.

Then, Wheeler’s offense countered by getting to the free-throw line.

“I think we did a real good job in the second quarter of generating points at the free throw line because we weren’t getting that many field goals,” said Wheeler head coach Dustin Nelson.”

The Bearcats hit 10 of their 13 free throw attempts in that quarter, cutting Bowman’s lead down to six by halftime and getting as close as three points in the third quarter.

But a quick 11-2 run by Bowman swung the momentum back in their favor.

“We felt like, if we kept scoring, the game would’ve moved along,” said Bowman guard Princess German, who had a game-high 26 points. “But not everything is perfect. We just had to pick it back up on defense.”

Wheeler hit just 10 of their 34 shots in the final two quarters, allowing Bowman to pull away for the victory. The defense generated prime scoring chances for the Eagles, who shot 67 percent (14 for 21) from the floor in the second half.

Nickole Finch led Wheeler’s offense with 24 points.