(Stanton) Stanton’s fourth-quarter run leads to a 56-47 win over CAM in a Class 1A Regional semifinal at Stanton on Friday night.
Jenna Stephens led the Viqueens with 16-points, Abbey Burke scored 15, Marleigh Johnson, 8, Leah Sandin,7, Riley Burke, 5, Hannah Olson, 4, and Brooklyn Silva chipped in one.
Eva Steffensen led the Cougars with 22-points; Grace Hensley and Naomi Grubbs scored 7, Mallory Behnken and Kiera Nichols, 4, and Meredith Rich 3.
Stanton grabbed a 10-7 first-quarter lead. Abbey Burke buried a long-range shot, and Hannah Olson came off the bench and scored four points to lead the Viqueens. Naomi Grubbs scored four, and Eva Steffensen netted three –points for the Cougars.
CAM followed up with a 10-0 run in the second quarter. The CAM offense powered by Grace Hensley’s three-point shot and Steffensen’s four points pushed the visitors to a 17-10 lead midway through the frame. The Viqueens countered with Marleigh Johnson and Abby Burke connecting from long range to bring the Viqueens within three, 22-19 at the half.
Stanton started the third quarter on a 7-0 run, and a 26-22 lead with 5:00 minutes left in the frame, however, CAM countered and finished off the quarter on an 8-4 run and a 33-30 lead. Eva Steffensen picked up the pace scoring seven third-quarter points to lead the Cougars.
The fourth quarter proved to be the difference in the game. Abbey Burke knocked splashed in a three-point shot with 4:10 left to play, thrusting Stanton to a 43-40 lead. The Viqueens never relinquished the lead after that, sealing the game 56-47.
The Viqueens move to 24-0. CAM bows out with an impressive 19-5 record.
Stanton and Exira/EHK square off in a Regional Final at Atlantic on February 23, with the winner earning a spot in the Class 1A State Tournament field.
CAM Head Coach Joe Woolum’s comments after the game.
