The old Lockport High school campus playing host to the Girls Basketball Regionals. 9th seeded Wolves of Oswego East and the 8 seed Naperville Central in the regional semi final. The building still buzzing over the shocking upset of the 17 seed Yorkville defeating the number 1 seed Minkooka in the other regional semi.
It was all Oswego in the opening minutes. The full court press from East created opportunities like this three pointer from Christine Corpuz. 11-2 Wolves as coach Nussbaum calls a timeout.
Central using the defense to create points as Gabi Melby gets the steal and goes all the way for the layup, Redhawks down 11-6.
The NC run continues as Lauren Umbright gets the steal and gets the contested layup to go, Central down 11-8.
Into the 2nd quarter and the comeback continues, Melby with the pass to Kate Gilfilan who sinks the open jumper, the Redhawks take the lead at halftime thanks to a 20 to 7 run to end the half.
Early in the 3rd quarter, Melby to Karly Maida who enjoys the fact that the bank is still open this late, biggest lead of the game for Central, up 25-18.
Oswego East battling back as Corpuz hits the quick release three pointer to cut into the deficit. The Wolves steal the inbound pass but can’t convert the layup. The Redhawks quickly get out into transition and Melby drives in for the open layup thanks to a nice seal block from Lauren Umbright. 27-21 Central still leads.
The Wolves continue to crawl back as Chyna Scott takes advantage of Central’s lack of size to get off a midrange jumper, East trails by one.
Near the end of the third, the Redhawks offense goes cold as a miscommunication leads to a steal and layup from Chelsea McCullum to give the Wolves the lead after three.
Early in the 4th, Redhawks down 7 and Gabi Melby pulls up from way downtown and nails the three, a team high 17 points on the night for the sophomore.
Central continues to fight as the Redhawks get the steal, Kaitlyn Allen runs the break and finds Emily Spisak who gets the basket and the foul, Central down only five with just over 4 minutes to play.
But Oswego East was able to hit several big shots down the stretch to keep the Redhawks at bay, Christine Corpuz’s third three gives her 22 in the game as the Wolves move on to the Girls Basketball Regional final after a ten point victory. A solid season despite some tough injuries comes to a close for Naperville Central.
