Annawan Downs CHBC in Third Place Game

If you had told any of the seniors on this year's Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City girls basketball team that in their four years of high school they would finish fourth twice, second once and win a regional in the other year, they likely would have leaped at the option.

That's what this group of Hornet seniors can talk about for years to come after dropping the third place game at this year's Girls Class 1A State Tournament Saturday, falling to Annawan, 47-37.

The contest was close throughout, with Annawan leading 13-12 after one quarter, the game tied at 22-22 at halftime and CHBC leading 32-31 after three quarters.  Then came the fourth quarter, when Annawan pushed the ball inside, especially after All-Stater Micah Jones had to leave the game with a knee injury and made most of their foul shots to extend the lead.

Jones hit the floor hard a couple of times, once hitting the back of her head and the other banging her left kneecap on the floor during a fall.  She walked down into the tunnel at Redbird Arena, briefly rode a stationary bike, and then gamely checked back into the game for the last few minutes of action.

Jones, who holds close to one dozen records at the 1A Tournament, finished Saturday's game with 13 points and 21 rebounds.  Ava Paruleski scored 12 points, Autumn Riley six points, Chandler Ward three points and Kirby Herrmann two points.

CHBC made just 29% of its shots and made four of seven foul shots.  19 turnovers were a problem but the Hornets grabbed 44 rebounds.  They made just three of 17 three-point shots.

Annawan made 14 of 45 shots for 31% but made 17 of 23 foul shots, outscoring CHBC 17-4 at the line.  CHBC pulled down twice as many rebounds as Annawan.

Annawan finished the season 30-3, while CHBC ends their campaign 26-7.

A Welcome Home ceremony is set for 2pm today at Cowden-Herrick High School.  Our own Matt Robinson will serve as emcee for the event.

CHBC says goodbye to seniors Micah Jones, Ava Paruleski, Autumn Riley and Taylor Edwards.