Neoga Hands Serena Loss To Claim Third Place
Published on March 4 2022 6:43 am
Last Updated on March 4 2022 9:02 am
Written by Millie Lange
The Neoga team members pose for photographs with their third place medals after beating Serena, 45-23. Greg Sapp photos
NORMAL -- Neoga High School put together some big scoring quarters to claim third place at the Class 1A State Girls Basketball Tournament with a 45-23 win over Serena Thursday evening at Redbird Arena.
The Indians bounced back from their first round loss to Brimfield to put together a 16-6 opening quarter run on the Huskers. Sydney Richards nailed four of five baskets in the quarter while Haylee Campbell put in two buckets and a free throw and Sydney Hakman knocked in a three-pointer as the Indians ripped out to a 16-6 lead.
Serena found the range on only three of 12 shots.
Neoga connected on seven of 14 shots for 46.6 percent. Although the Indians slowed down in the second quarter, hitting on only one of seven from the field, they connected on four free throws and led 22-13 at halftime. The Huskers could hit only one basket in 11 shots and scored five points from the free throw line.
Coach Kim Romack's squad came out with five of 11 from the field in the third period and pushed ahead 34-15. Campbell put in three of four baskets for six points while Avery Fearday connected on a three-pointer.
In the final quarter, Neoga still had an 11-8 run for the final 22 point victory.
S. Richards finished with 16 points to lead Neoga. She hit seven of 12 from the field and was two of two at the line. Richard pulled down 10 rebounds, had two assists and a steal along with two blocked shots.
Also in double figures was Campbell with five of 13 from the field and one of one at the line for 11 points. Campbell led the way on the boards by pulling down 16 in the contest.
Avery Fearday led in assists with six and steals with five. Campbell had two steals.
Neoga scored 15 points off of Serena turnovers. The Indians scored 24 points from the paint, eight from second chance shots and five on fastbreaks.
The Indians finished shooting 61.5 percent from the free throw line with eight of 13. They shot 37.8 percent from the field.
Serena mustered only 15.9 percent shooting for the game with seven of 44 from the field. The Huskers ended the season with a 33-4 record.
Neoga finished out a stellar year with a 29-8 record and third place.
There will be a parade through Neoga at 2 p.m. Sunday and a reception held in the gym at 2:30 p.m.
Brimfield and Galena will meet for the Class 1A State Tournament championship Saturday at 11 a.m.
In the Class 2A State Tournament Thursday, Quincy Notre Dame defeated Pana, 56-44 and Winnebago won over Minonk Fieldcrest, 51-47. Pana defeated Minonk Fieldcrest, 49-45 for third place. Quincy Notre Dame and Winnebago will meet for the state championship Saturday at 1 p.m.
Class 1A State Tournament
Third Place Game
SERENA (23)
Cole 1-5 0-0 2, McNally 1-4 2-4 4, Baker 1-18 6-6 8, Twai 1-6 1-2 3, Setchell 2-9 0-0 0 4, Mahler 0-1 0-0 0, Glade 0-0 0-0 0, Linder 1-1 0-0 2, M. Mahler 0-0 0-0 0, Britt 0-0 0-0 0, Brennan 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 7-44 FG (15.9%) 9-12 FT (75.0%)
NEOGA (45)
Hakman 1-3 0-0 3, S. Richards 7-13 2-2 16, Fearday 3-8 1-2 9, Moore 1-4 1-2 3, Campbell 5-13 1-1 11, B. Richards 0-1 0-0 0, Worman 0-2 1-2 1, Sampson 0-1 2-4 2, McKinney 0-0 0-0 0, O'Dell 0-0 0-0 0, Osborn 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 17-45 FG (37.8%) 8-13 FT (61.5%)
Serena 6 7 2 8 -- 23
Neoga 16 6 12 11 -- 45
3-point FG -- Serena 0-4 (Baker 0-2, Setchell 0-2), Neoga 3-8 (Hakman 1-2, Fearday 2-4, Moore 0-2).
Avery Fearday (30) and Trista Moore (31) show the crowd the third place trophy Neoga claimed Thursday.
Coach Kim Romack is congratulated after receiving her third place medal.