Story by: Scott Dubois—
Semi-State champions!!! For the first since 2010 and third time under head coach Todd Law captured girls basketball 2A Semi-State title with a 42-33 win over Central Noble at Logansport on Saturday evening. In the matchup of the 5th ranked Golden Eagles versus the 9th rated Cougars, Oak Hill broke open a close game in the fourth quarter to capture the championship!!!!.
With the crowd still buzzing over first game at Logansport that saw Union City defeat Marquette Catholic 69-64 in double overtime in 1A Semi-State, the 2A game got off to a slow start offensively. In the first three minutes if the opening quarter, Oak Hill managed the only three points to take the early 3-0 lead. Central Noble then shook off their shooting rust and went on a 8-0 run in the next three minutes to jump ahead. The Golden Eagles scored the final four points of the quarter to close to within one point at 8-7. In the second period the Oak Hill defense would hold the Cougars’ offense to only three points. At the same time the Eagles continued their scoring run with six more points capped by sophomore Jenessa Hasty’s three pointer on their way to a 13-8 lead. Central Noble managed only three points the rest of the half and the Golden Eagles took their largest lead of the game at 17-11 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Oak Hill used an offensive surge of 8-4 finished off off by a three point shot to pulled the Eagles ahead by 10 at 25-15. Central Noble responded a 8-2 run to close the quarter and finish only trailing by four at 27-23. The Cougars quickly scored the first basket of the fourth period to close within two at 27-25. The next four minutes the game was a defensive struggle and Oak Hill was clinging to a four point advantage at 33-29. In the last three minutes Central Noble personal fouls placed the Golden Eagles at the free throw line. Oak Hill would take advantage of the situation by scoring their nine points of the game pf nine straight free throws to capture the 42-33 victory!! Freshman Taylor Westgate led Oak Hill in scoring with 13 points Sophomore Sydney Freeman was the leading scorer for Central Noble with 13 points.
Oak Hill now has a 27-1 record and will play in the state championship against Eastern (Pekin) on Saturday afternoon. Central Noble finishes the season at 27-3.
Sorry photos are not for sale due to IHSAA rules.
