Lady Lions Advance to Championship Game of Carbondale MWC

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Zech Miller, Sport Reporter

CARTERVILLE – There was nothing less of a fight in the Lion’s den last night between the Marion Lady Wildcats and the Carterville Lady Lions. The Lions came from behind to win 55-50 and advance to the Championship Game of the Carbondale Mid-Winter Classic.

This action all started in the first quarter where Lions forward Amayah Doyle won the tip and the Lady Lions would start the game off with possession of the ball. On the first possession they would find Doyle in the lane and get her the ball for a quick 2 points.

Marion would not have a zero up on the board for long as they scored on a quick layup. Doyle would come down the court and nail a deep three point shot, but the Lady Wildcats would not stay silent as they answered immediately, tying the game 5-5.

Trading good possessions and solid defense, the first quarter ended 16-13 with a Lady Lions lead.

The second quarter was slow for both teams and the Lady Lions went into the half up 28-24.

Coming out of the half the Lady Lions looked unstoppable, scoring a quick 3 point shot and getting a lay-up that led to an and-one. The quarter went on and both teams did not score for minutes, but soon the Lady Wildcats found the basket and capitalized on every opportunity. Marion would end the third leading 40-34. 

Going into the fourth quarter it looked as if it was going to be Wildcats all the way, but Hillary Siemer (JR) made some quick lay-ups to get the score 42-44 in favor of the Lady Wildcats. Then after many good defensive possessions, Kamari Adams- Jackson (FR) was able to get to the hoop and score to tie it 44-44 early in the fourth quarter. The Lady Wildcats got into the bonus early in the fourth, and Doyle got fouled, sent to the line, and sank two free throws to tie the game 46-46. Almost immediately after, that she found herself at the line once again and she would make both of her free throws, putting the Lions in the lead 48-46.

From here on out all the Lady Lions had to do was make the free throws and they would win the game. Siemer did just that and put Carterville up 50-48. 

The Lady Lions capitalized on very good defense, which lead to a steal and a bucket by Doyle.  The next possession saw freshman Adams-Jackson making a difference, stealing the ball, getting fouled, and sinking her two free throws. At this point, the game was pretty much out of reach for the Lady Wildcats with the score being 53-48 for the Lady Lions.

Just when you think the Lady Wildcats were done, they hit a three and pulled within three.

The Lady Lions scored two quick lay-ups to put the game away. Doyle ended the game with an impressive 29 points. When looking towards the next game, Doyle said “this game [they[ focused on playing [their] game, controlling the controllables, and this will help [them] going into the next game if [they] do these same things.”

The Lady Lions will play Saturday in the Championship game of the Mid-Winter Classic at Carbondale High School against the Massac Lady Patriots. To keep up with everything Carterville sports, follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CartervilleATH.