Mahomet Family Dentistry Athlete of the Week: The State-Bound MSJHS 8th grade girls’ basketball team

In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, the 8th-grade Lady Bulldogs of Mahomet-Seymour Junior High have etched their names into the annals of school sports history. This week’s gripping 30-27 victory over University Park Crete Monee has propelled them into the State tournament, capping off a remarkable season with a 19-8 record.

The foundation of the Lady Bulldogs’ success was laid in the first three-quarters of the game. Demonstrating a masterclass in defensive play, they managed to stifle their opponents, holding a modest yet significant 13-7 lead as the game entered its final stretch.

However, the fourth quarter turned the game into an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Crete Monee found their rhythm, sinking outside jumpers that had eluded them earlier. Despite this, the Bulldogs remained resolute, their gritty play keeping them ahead until the game’s final moments.

With just 1:15 left on the clock and up by four, the Lady Bulldogs faced a sudden reversal. Crete Monee scored a quick layup, forced a turnover, and nailed a 3-pointer, snatching a one-point lead – their first in the game.

But the Bulldogs were unfazed. Lily Freiman assisted Katie Hunter, who was waiting on the opposite side. Hunter’s 3-pointer was nothing short of clutch, propelling the Bulldogs back into a two-point lead with just 40 seconds remaining. Hunter wasn’t finished yet; after securing a vital rebound, she was fouled and sent to the line. Despite missing the first free throw, she sank the second, sealing the Bulldogs’ victory with a three-point lead.

Katie Hunter emerged as the game’s top scorer, with 10 points – 8 of which were crucially scored in the fourth quarter. Audra Martin contributed significantly with 8 points, while Penelope Bird added 6 points to the team’s tally.

As the Lady Bulldogs prepare for their next challenge against Matteson Colin Powell in the State tournament’s first round, their spirits are high. The game is scheduled for this Saturday at 1 pm at Normal Parkside JH. A victory there would see them playing again in the evening against the winner of Mt. Zion vs Granite City Coolidge.