After a Slow First Quarter, Lady Vikings Come Back to Win First Sectional Game, 70-60

It took two quarters for the lady Vikings to find their groove against Rockton Hononegah in the class 4A Jacobs sectional on Tuesday night. But with help from Kateyln Allen’s shooting and Kat Yelle’s free throws and the emergence of Ashley Santos in the second half after virtually being shut down in the first, the Vikings were able to win the game and continue their season.

Now, the Geneva girls basketball team will compete for its third sectional championship in a row following a 70-60 win over Hononegah.

Hononegah gave Geneva, which has mastered the art of playing under pressure, a run for its money throughout the game and was ahead of the Vikings for a majority of the first quarter. But at end of the game, Geneva found its magic, made some key free throws, and went on a 19-4 run to finish the game.

“They’re (Hononegah) a great team,” said head coach Gina Nolan. “They run good stuff. They have a solid presence inside and a nice guard on the outside.”

Fortunately for the Vikings, senior Katelyn Allen had a standout game with six three-point shots and 23 points overall. Kat Yelle put up 16 points, and she was 5-for-6 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to clinch the win. Ashley Santos scored 17 points, 15 of which came in the second half.

Geneva (now 24-6) played great defense against 6-4 post Nicole Smith, who had missed several games for Hononegah (28-4) this season due to an ankle injury.

Brea Edwards scored 20 points for Hononegah.

Geneva will play next at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Jacobs High School against Wednesday night’s winner.

“We just need to continue to play our game and play together,” said assistant coach Eric Duffett. “We’re a great team when we play with defensive intensity and work hard to rebound as a team. We have to keep doing that.”