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Class 3 Girls Basketball Semis Preview
CLASS 3 GIRLS SEMIFINALS
PEMBROKE HILL (25-4) VS. HANCOCK (26-2)
Pembroke Hill is without all-time leading scorer Erneisha Bailey, who graduated last year and is now playing for the University of Texas. She led the Raiders to the MSHSAA playoffs in three straight seasons, but they couldn't ever advance to the final four. Bailey's departure hasn't affected the Raiders, who return to the Show-Me Showdown for the first time since 1999 and the second time in school history. The scoring attack is more balanced in 2005, with all five starters averaging at least 7.8 points per game. Krisitna Mingos leads the squad with 17 points per game. Pembroke Hill's two previous trips to the Show-Me Showdown.
Hancock's Sonya Duagherty scoring has gone down considerably this season. She averages eight fewer points per game this season, than she did last season. That isn't to say that she isn't still affective. At 24 points per game, she still easily leads the team and the Tigers are much better off as a result. After taking fourth in state last season, Hancock is back with a 26-2 record. The other four starters are all adding a little more offensive punch, averaging between 6.2 and 7.1 points per game. Their run to the final four last season was their first trip ever to the post season. They've won 15 in a row.
LUTHERAN-ST. PETERS (27-3) VS. SPRINGFIELD CATHOLIC FIGHTIN' IRISH (18-11)
Lutheran-St. Peters won't blow you away with offense, but they will smother you with their defense. They've only allowed 40 or more points seven times this season. . They've held opponents under 30 points nine times. Sophomore Katie Kirby is their leading scorer with just 10.6 points per game. Four of their five starters are seniors and they have put together a 105-14 record in that time and are making their third trip to the Show-Me Showdown.
Will Springfield Catholic feel the luck o' the Irish this St. Patrick's Day? So far they've been blessed. The Fightin' Irish advanced to the final four with a buzzer beater from senior Paulina Tuell to beat Seymour 54-53 in overtime. Tuell paces Catholic with 16.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. They're the only team left in the Class 3 bracket with less than 25 wins and more than four losses. Springfield Catholic has eight previous trips to the Show-Me Showdown and four state titles.