In the concluding seconds on Thursday night, Zaida Murphy of Homewood-FloSmore was being followed in the backcourt by Lincoln-way East. And the senior guard was smiling.
Not a smile, but a real life, the ear smile from the ear.
No way, she was playing in her last high school basketball game. puh lease.
“It’s just fun with the game,” Murphy later said, the smile still began. “In practice, when the scout team and boys are protecting us, I do the same thing.”
The 5-Foot-6 Murphy simply did the same more, leading all the scorer with 22 points as Vikings defeated Griffins 47-36 in class 4A Jolyte West Sectional Championship Games.
Sofomore Guard Genesis Moore pasted 10 points from the bench for HF (23-7), which will play on Kenwood at 7 pm on Monday at Hinsdale Central SupersaCenal against 50–37 winner Nazreth (30-3). The Sofomore Guard Aanai Dera added nine points to the Vikings.
This was a difficult end for Lincoln-way East (28–6), which used the run at the end of 10–0 to draw within six. Illinois recruited a senior center, Heaven Smith, who led Griffins with 14 points and four rebounds.
Later, while Murphy and her comrades took pictures with fans – Murphy caught the sectional championship plaque – HF coach Tony Smith praised the player who has become her.
“He is a heartbeat for us, man,” Smith said about Murphy. “She is excluding it, guarding the point guard, is taking decisions. We love him. He has become very big.
“She may be a little less, but she has got everything.”
Heaven Smith (42) of Lincoln-way East blocked the Shot of Homewood-FloSmore Jemiah McDonald on Thursday, February 22, 2024 during the Class 4A Jolyte West Sectional Championship Game. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
It is also difficult to defeat a rival three times in a season, but Vikings succeeded in doing so on Thursday. He defeated Griffins 49–42 on 5 December and then on 56-47 on 23 January.
Murphy talked about how difficult it is to credits coach Smith to coach Smith to push her and her companions during Wednesday’s practice.
In other words, don’t leave, because “he knew that the former was about to come out of the perforation,” he said.
It also gives you an idea of what is going to practice at the end of this week.
“Work hard, first focus on us and ensure that we are doing what is right,” he said.
Aani Deere (3) of Homewood-FloSmore tried to prevent the lane from running the lane during the class 4A Jolit West Sectional Championship game on Thursday, February 22, 2024 on the Lincoln-way East. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Senior Guard Laila Pierce said that she expects a lot of hard work in Monday, but it is completely fine with a visit to the state on the line.
Pierce said, “Maybe (Friday) may be relaxed, but the coach really likes to push us-everything like a game,” before he attracts his attention to Murphy.
“Jaeda is a really good leader in this team. She always puts us on her back, even when the goods are not good for everyone. We really like to keep it in the team. ,
Moore, who formed a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter, agreed with Pierce that Murphy was a great patron. For example, in the last season, he taught them how to prepare with the ball.
It paid dividend on Thursday.
Zada Murphy (20) of Homewood-FloSmore drove on Thursday, 22 February 2024 during the Class 4A Jolyte West Sectional Championship game to Heaven Smith (42) of Lincolnway East. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“I learned a lot from Zeda,” said Moore. “Just being a team player.”
Murphy has not yet made her college choice, and she would be lying if she said that at least she does not consider that a little is coming in Thursday’s game.
A demonstration against Lincoln-Vay East is likely to attract some attention.
“You know, I am always thinking about the next level and making sure I am ready,” he said. “I want to go to the next level and play basketball, so I should be able to show that I can play.”
But no matter what it is on Monday, Murphy is still smiling, which Smith appreciates.
“It just says that he is calm and gathered,” he said. “She is just out of it.”
Greg is a freelance reporter for Daily Southtown.