HAMMOND, La. (KPLC) - A year after falling to Sacred Heart in the semifinals, Rosepine returned the favor, pulling away in the second half for a 56-44 victory to advance to the Select Division III state championship game for the third time in four years.
Sacred Heart came out strong, jumping to a 6-2 lead early. Rosepine responded behind Raylen Farris, who pushed the ball ahead to Hayley Calcote for a layup to spark the offense.
The Lady Eagles gained control in the second quarter. With the game tight, Calcote found Allie Wilson cutting to the basket for a 15-11 lead, and after a 12-1 scoring run, Rosepine would go into halftime with a 27-16 advantage.
In the second half, Rosepine’s ball movement began to wear down Sacred Heart. Case James knocked down a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 30-22, then attacked off the dribble and finished high off the glass to make it 35-29.
Sacred Heart trimmed the deficit late in the third quarter when Zoi Kelly banked in a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one possession. But every time Sacred Heart threatened, James delivered.
James buried another clutch 3-pointer as part of a dominant performance. She finished with 24 points to lead all scorers and help Rosepine pull away down the stretch.
Rosepine now awaits the winner of tomorrow’s other semi-final game between Lafayette Christian and Holy Savior Menard.