Neither Lakeview girls basketball or Boone Central/Newman Grove had a high enough wildcard point standing to feel secure with a loss in the C1-8 subdistrict final.
Lakeview was able to get the victory to secure a place at districts and get one game away from going to the state tournament.
“It was a great defensive play by Boone Central,” said head coach Monte Jones after the game. “We knew it was going to be tough because they’re the most physically impressive team that we’ve seen. They’re strong and tough.”
It was a defensive battle in the first eight minutes with neither team gaining much separation. Makenna Klug scored on a layup with 38 seconds left in the quarter to help give the Vikings a 7-4 first-quarter lead.
The Cardinals started out hot in the second quarter taking a slight lead for a moment. But a 6-0 run courtesy of three layups by Gracie Borer powered Lakeview to a 17-13 advantage going into the locker room.
People are also reading…
“It was awesome because it took a little wind out of how hard they could deny her,” Jones said. “That let her get out catches in our normal offense. We did a good job of staying patient and waiting for those spots. I’m just so happy with our poise.”
The two teams traded baskets to start the second half, but the Cardinals hit back-to-back 3-point shots to close the lead to 22-21 with four minutes left in the quarter.
Borer then answered with a 3-point play and a 2-point jumper from Borer and Reese Janseen to stretch the lead to 27-21, but another 3-pointer from Boone Central’s Kylee Rasmussen closed the gap again.
The Vikings finished the third quarter on a 5-0 run in the final minute to give themselves a 32-24 entering the final stanza of play.
The Cardinals scored the first four point of the fourth quarter, but Klug hit a 3-point shot with just under six minutes left to stretch the lead to 35-28, but another 4-0 Cardinal run cut it down to a one-possession game once again.
The Vikings answered the challenge once again, with another Klug 3-pointer to stretch the lead to six with four minutes remaining.
Lakeview sealed the game by going on a 5-1 run in the final 2:30 to seal the game.
After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Borer led the Vikings with 21 points.
Lakeview now waits to find out who they will play in districts.
“(We) have four days off. Which is the best thing,” Jones said. “(We) have lots of prep time just for one team. Whoever it is we feel like we’ve been prepared and we’ll be in any game if we make some shots.”
Peter Huguenin is a sports reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at sports@columbustelegram.com