Leave. Leave. surrender. None of them never register Brooke Carlson of Batavia.
Therefore, as Bulldogs were facing a lack of four points on Friday night, the senior guard was more firm than before that his team would win-and would play again next week.
“After the first quarter we were like,” we can’t do it, “Carlson said. “We have to lift it. Surely on Haftime, we flipped the switch. We realized that this could be our last game.
“We didn’t want that. We wanted to play at home once. It was in my head, but I believe in my peers and what we are able to do.”
With Carlson under control, Batavia turned it on to the second half and hovering for a 55–36 victory over the Varenville South in the Class 4A Bartlet Regional Championship Game.
Carlson scored a game-high 25 points to lead Bulldog (27-5), which proceeded to play in the Batavia sectional semi-finals against St. Charles East (19–12) at 6 pm on Tuesday.
Geneva (22-8) and St. Charles North (27-4) will meet in the semi-finals at 7:30, which will complete the performance of Tri-Mahas and Duken conference teams.
Natalie Warner added 11 points from the bench on Friday for the Vikings. Hannah depicted the Varenville South (17–16) with 14 points. Finally, however, it was Carlson’s show.
“I think we were in our head,” Carlson said, who placed Bulldog in the first half with 15 points. “We knew we could do it, and we were not playing for our abilities.
“In Haftime, it was firing itself more and focusing on defense. That is what we had to come out and we came out and came out and completed it.”
Batavia’s Kylie Gahart (22) tried to save a ball from going out of the boundary on Friday, February 16, 2024 in the Class 4A Bartlet Regional Championship Games as Hanna Stubing and Brook Stubing Defend of Weeon Warrenville South.
With 24–20 under the Batavia, Carlson scored an quick run 8–0 to start the second half and bring Bulldog back to the top. There was a theft and a trimmed in that boom.
All eight points were also scored by the seniors, and then Bulldog led 37–36 after three quarters.
Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said, “You can tell, groups of seniors, they were not letting us down.” “You get it, its human nature – they are trying to take away (Carlson). Let’s make sure that he gets it. Yes, we want him to get a good look, but all of you, like every other game, keep your drive and make your shots.
“Once we did this, things started opening.”
Batavia’s Haley Crane (24) and ADEE Previt (23) go for a rebound against the Emily Triya of the Varrenville South on Friday, February 16, 2024 at the Class 4A Bartlet Regional Championship Games. (John Langam / Bicon-News)
Warner, a junior guard, was one of the players who took advantage of. He hit Batavia 3-Poneters to give Batavia a 35-32 lead in the third quarter.
At the beginning of the fourth, Warner hit a 3-pointer from a feed from Carlson as Bulldog put together to pull 18–0 quarters together.
“It feels great because I look at all my colleagues,” said Warner. “It is a great feeling to contribute and give energy to the team.”
Warner was also alert to the fact that Carlson, who recently became the most major scorer of the program, wanted to maintain his career in Batavia before going to the state of Colorado.
Brook Carlson (2) of Batavia drove for the basket with Ashlin Edams of Weeon Warrenville South on Friday, 16 February 2024 at the Class 4A Bartlet Regional Championship Game. (John Langham / Bicon-News)
Warner said, “Brooke contributes a large amount to the team.” “He has a lot of energy. When they are double-team, everyone else has to move and has his energy.
“She makes everyone so much better in the team. She is the best person you will meet anytime. She works so hard and everyone wants to work hard, better and wants to work for each other.”
And now, Carlson gets at least one more chance for his fans to put on a show on Tuesday.
“It’s going to be amazing, especially on our home court,” Carlson said. “We have a lot of support from community and students. I am really excited for it.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for Bekan-News.