Report by Chris Vines
Olivia Allen hit 13 free throws, Brett Gardner had 22 points and Kamie Jenkins dominated on the boards with 15 rebounds and the Southside Lady Southerners pulled away from the ESTEM Mets winning 54-43 and punching their ticket to the state tournament for the second consecutive season.
Both teams started cold in the opening quarter with southside up 5-4 with four minutes to play before going on an 8-0 run to end the first quarter 13-4.
eSTEM opened the second quarter on a 10-0 run to take the lead in the second quarter before the Southerners returned the favor with a 10-3 run to take a 23-21 halftime lead.
The Southerners were up 33-32 when Olivia Allen was fouled on a drive to the basket, and the ensuing technical foul called for unsportsmanlike conduct, gave the Southerners four free throws and possession of the ball.
Allen sank all four free throws and the Southerners hit a conventional three-point play to give them a 40-32 lead they never relinquished.
Brett Gardner had 22 points to lead all scorers, Olivia Allen had 18, Kamie Jenkins had 6 (15 rebounds) and Callie Robbins had 6.
The Lady Southerners move on to face top-seeded Brookland at 4 p.m. today on 99.5 YourFM.
