By Chris Parker
A pair of big runs by Principia doomed Norwood in a 37-25 loss in the Class 2 state semifinal round.
Principia opened the game on a 10-0 run and looked like it might run away with the game, but Norwood had a response. The Lady Pirates closed the first quarter on a 7-0 run to make it a 10-7 in favor of Principia after one quarter.
“It just took us a little bit to adjust to their physicalness, but once we did, we settled in and ran our stuff good and started knocking down shots,” Norwood head coach Wayne Jessen said.
Principia again began to pull away in the second quarter opening up a 15-7 lead before back-to-back three-pointers from Norwood cut the deficit back to two at 15-13 with 4:03 left in the quarter. Two Principia free throws were the only scoring over the final four minutes of the half giving Principia a 17-13 lead into the break.
In the third quarter, Norwood again cut the lead to two points with 5:30 left in the third quarter. The Lady Pirates had two chances to tie or take the lead but came up empty.
Principia extended its lead back out to five at 23-18 with one second left in the quarter. The Panthers turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds play without taking any time off the clock to give the ball back to Norwood.
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Gentry Davault knocked down a three at the buzzer to get Norwood back within two at 23-21 going into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Norwood’s Addie Gray tied the game up at 25 with a 3-pointer with 6:10 left in the game.
From there, it was all Principia.
The Panthers closed the game on a 12-0 run to secure the 37-25 win and spot in the Class 2 state title game on Thursday at 4 pm.
Principia’s best player Dasia Scott took over in the fourth quarter on the way to a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Her presence in the post was difficult for Norwood to contain. Scott pulled down seven offensive rebounds by herself and Principia had 14 offensive rebounds in the game to just seven for Norwood.
“I have played big girls in the past, but I haven’t ever seen anything like her,” Norwood’s Gentry Davault said. “All credit to her. She was good.”
Norwood was led by nine points from Addy Gray with all nine coming on three-pointers.
The Panthers await the winner of Skyline and Tipton in the Class 2 state title game while Norwood will face the losing team at 10 am on Thursday in the third place game.
