Each time when Wubboncy Valley Junior Forward Lily Newton made a trimmed this season, he found an earlight from coach Brett Love.
Constant reminders became the soundtrack for Newton’s season, and it continued before the Class 4A Oswaygo Sectional Championship Game on Thursday.
“Oh, tell me about it,” said Newton. “Earlier, literally I did for warm -up, there were pastes, pastes, floatrs above the front of the rim.
“It has been my weakness all year, and it spends us a few times.”
Not on this night.
What he called “A full-circle moment”, Newton scored overtime with 2.3 seconds on the driving paste, leading to another seeded warriors win 63–61 over fourth seed Bennett.
This victory was equally thrilling as it was historic for Wubani Valley (31-3), which broke the single-season school record for victory and won a sectional title for the second time and Ashley Luke already led the team in the state quarter-finals in 1999.
Sophomore Guard Denila Morpokso scored a game-high 19 points for Warriors, who will play Elinois Vesleyan supersensuctional in Bloomington at 7 pm on Monday evening. Senior Guard Hannah Laub had 15 points, on all 3-pointers, Sophomore Guard Ariana Garcia added 11 points, seven rebounds and three support, and Newton pasted 10 points and five rebounds.
Waubonsie Valley’s Lily Newton, left, hit the shots winning the game in overtime at the Class 4A Osvego Sectional Championship Game against Bennett on Thursday, 22 February, 2024. (Troy Stolt / Napville Sun)
Senior Guard Emilia Selecisi made five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points for Bennett (24–7), which had excluded the warriors from the playoffs in each of the last three sessions. Freshman Guard Eva Merceder added 11 points, seven rebounds, five theft and four assistance.
“I told him,” I am disappointed for you. I am not disappointed with you, “Killbrid said. I am incredibly proud of this group.
“The work they have done and the solidarity they have developed, to go to the sectional championship, this is a real credit for them.
Waubonsie Valley finally crossed the Redwings by rally to overcome the reduction of 28–19 and to escape the fourth quarter.
Killbrid said, “He is given a lot of credit.” “Boy, he made some great shots, and I felt that he had also made some difficult shots.”
This included MPorokoso’s game-tying driving paste, with 13 seconds left in regulation. Bennett Junior Guard Aria Maza recalled a difficult Fedway jumper, two seconds left from the left baseline, and the game went for more than 59–59.
Majaja hit a 15 -foot jumper to give Bennett lead, Morpocoso tied it with a paste with 34 seconds. A Bennette Turnover gave the ball to the Wubonsi Valley with 10.4 seconds to return to the ball.
Bennett’s defense converted MPorokoso into a herd, who found Newton at the top of the key. It installed the most difficult shot of the game.
“She was driving, and she had nothing to do, so she went to me,” said Newton. “I had already killed a couple, and I was looking for a shot. Then I saw (a defender) was sprinkling directly on me, and I had nothing else to do. ,
Waubonsie Valley’s Danyella MPORokoso (10) made a shot during the class 4A Ososgo Sectional Championship game against Bennett on Thursday, February 22, 2024. (Troy Stolt / Napville Sun)
An army, an army committed, looked at Newton and was convinced that she would score.
“Oh, yes, I knew that when he kept it that it was going in,” Lubb said. “She was attacking all the sports baskets, and she looked comfortable.”
Joe is a relatively new feeling for Newton, which has absorbed the creative criticism of love.
Lily said, “Lily is working on her work throughout the season.” “The coach has been harsh on it. At any time she misses, she is on it. But this is the reason, because they can make them in these moments. ,
Nobody was happy to see Newton, who ever hit the game winning shot, submerged Redwings compared to love.
“I told her that if there is any time, she is going to make a paste, this is the right opportunity, and she did it,” said Love. “I am just proud of him.”
Waubonsie Valley’s Hannah Lub (2) is surrounded by teammates as she catchs Class 4A Oswaygo Sectional Championship Plancing after defeating Bennett on Thursday, February 22, 2024. (Troy Stolt / Nepearville Sun)
The teams combined to hit the 14 3-pointers after the Haftime, by nine of the Warriors, who strongly strongly with love called “A Sraser Will to Win”. Newton said that chemistry must have been made.
Newton said, “I never had a team that really loves each other and wants the best for each other.” “We understand what we need to do to win.”
The warrior is a win away from capturing their first state trophy.
“It’s great,” Lubb said. “Everything is another step ahead. We are now a game away from the state, so we really look forward to it. ,
Matt Le Crane is a freelance reporter.