3A GIRLS: Lamar punches return trip to finals; Salem ends Glen Rose’s storybook season

LAMAR -- When it mattered most late Saturday afternoon, Lamar went to senior forward Karley Williams. She didn't disappoint for the Lady Warriors.

Williams helped break open a close game with a team-high eight fourth-quarter points taking over the offense. That effort allowed Lamar to pull past Bergman 41-39 to secure a spot in the Class 3A state tournament finals.

"That fourth quarter was Karley Williams on offense and everybody on defense," Lamar Coach Brandon Schluterman said. "She wanted the ball and wanted to be strong with it. It's a blur right now finding our identity playing without our leading scorer Kori Sanders, but it's going to be Karley on offense and a complete effort on defense."

That game plan was just enough in the final quarter for Lamar to down Bergman in a rematch of the Class 3A state finals from last year, which Lamar lost. That for sure was in the back of Williams' mind Saturday late in the game.

"My dad told me going into this one it was going to be a dog fight," Williams said. "I knew that was what it was going to be. At the end on your home court after losing to them in the finals, it gave us the little extra fight at the end that kicked through."

Williams finished with a game-high 15 points to go with 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. She had all but four of her points from the free-throw line. Madison Davidson and Morgan Cochran each finished with eight points as well for Lamar (29-4).

Bergman (36-5) was guided by a team-high 14 points with eight rebounds from Maddi Holt.

Bergman held a 31-25 lead heading into the final quarter, but that's when Lamar found its groove on both sides of the ball. Williams with a pair of free throws gave the Lady Warriors a 40-39 lead with 40 seconds left.

Lamar's defensive effort was a big part of securing the semifinals victory. Bergman on its last four chances on offense turned it over back-to-back times before missing three shots to close out the game.

Bergman held a 13-10 lead after the opening quarter and a 19-16 edge after two quarters of play. Lamar outscored its opponent 25-20 in the second half.

SALEM 63, GLEN ROSE 38

At times this season, shots weren't falling for Salem junior guard Maddie Keen. In the biggest game of the season so far, that changed for her and the Lady Greyhounds.

Keen scored a game-high 26 points to lead the way in a 63-38 semifinals victory against Glen Rose. The victory moves the former 2A powerhouse into the Class 3A finals for the first time in program history.

Salem Coach Josh Bateman said he was very proud of the effort of Keen who kept working despite results not going in way with made shots. Keen had two points in the opening-round win then seven points in a second-round matchup.

Salem (29-4) was also guided by 23 points from Marleigh Sellars, who capped her impressive state tournament so far with another big game.

The key for Salem was to limit the three-pointers from Glen Rose, who made 21 three-pointers in the initial two games of the state tournament. Against Salem, Glen Rose (24-9) only made four outside shots.

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