Lady Leopards Drop Sectional at Jackson to Finish 14-9 – Girls Basketball
Jackson 61, Louisville 44
The 6th Seed Louisville Leopards Girls Varsity Basketball Team fell to the host 3rd Seed Jackson Polar Bears 61-44 Saturday Afternoon in the DI Canton Sectional Semifinals. With the loss, Louisville finishes the season with an overall record of 14-9.
Abby Beaver and Sarah Lairson each scored a team-high 11 points and had a game-high 3 assists each to lead the Leopards. Danielle Walter also scored 8 points & recorded a game-high 3 steals and Alexa Oberster finished with a team-high 6 rebounds & 2 blocks.
Louisville took an early lead, but Jackson managed to tie the game at 11-11 by the end of the first quarter. The Polar Bears continued their surge into the second quarter to take a 31-25 lead at the half and went ahead 39-27 just 92 seconds into the third quarter.
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With the odds stacked against them, the Lady Leopards clawed their way back into the game using a 12-1 run to pull within 40-39 during the first minute of the fourth quarter. However, the roller coaster ride continued and the Lady Bears scored the next 12 points to regain their double digit advantage. Jackson won the final quarter 21-7 to take the game.
The Polar Bears shot 56% (21 out of 37) from the field and 76% (13 of 17) from the line. The Leopards finished 33% (12 of 36) from the floor and 68% (15 of 22) from the free throw stride comparatively. Jackson also edged Louisville in rebounds 19-18 led by Chloe Falconer’s game-high 9.
The Polar Bears were led by Taylor Mikesell who scored a game-high 20 points. Nadier Becton and Margaux Spencer also scored 13 points each for Jackson who advances to host the 8th Seed Barberton Magics on Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 PM in the DI Canton Sectional Finals.
With the loss, the Leopards have now dropped 3 of their last 4 games against the Polar Bears which includes the last 3 on the road. Louisville now trails the all-time series 15-20, which includes a 5-14 record in games played at Jackson. The Leopards are now 42-41 all-time in the postseason.