Lady Pirates Top Braves – Advance to Championship
The Charlestown Lady Pirate Basketball team won their fifth straight game while defeating conference rival Brownstown in Friday’s Sectional Semi-Final at Corydon High School. The victory advances Charlestown to Saturday’s Sectional Championship game versus North Harrison, set to tip at 7:00 pm at Corydon High School. Generally it is difficult to defeat the same basketball team twice in one season; especially when the first contest was a close victory as the Lady Pirates did against Salem and Brownstown last month. Charlestown has shown had it can be done, dispatching Salem Wednesday evening in the Sectional and again Friday night against Brownstown, 54-45.
The Lady Pirates trailed the majority of the first half, but remained in striking distance to a 23-22 halftime advantage. The second half showed that Charlestown recognized what was keeping them in the game during the first half, and stuck with it. The Lady Pirates surged ahead three times, generally maintaining a two possession game until the final minutes when Brownstown was forced to foul and Charlestown to hit free throws sealing the deal.
Charlestown was led in scoring by Junior Samantha Matthews, who led all scorers with twenty-one. Junior Erin Kimbrell took command of the situation with about four minutes remaining when Matthews got hit with her foul foul, slowing her pace a bit. Kimbrell asked for the ball, hustled to the ball and drove the lane drawing tough fouls to give the Lady Braves to much to handle. Kimbrell finished the game logging 11 points and was named the Coyle Chevy, GMC, Buick and Coyle Nissan Player of the Game by Pirate Pride Sports Broadcasting. Junior Gabi Gagnon also stepped up for the Lady Pirates, adding nine points and some crucial assists to improve Lady Pirate momentum.
Charlestown will now face Class 3A #1 North Harrison in Saturday’s Corydon Sectional Championship Game. Come out Pirate Nation and help support the Lady Pirates as they play not only the program’s 11th sectional title, but also the right to play at home for the Regional round next Saturday. Fans who absolutely can’t make it to Saturday’s game can listen to live Pirate Pride Sports Broadcasting coverage beginning at 6:30 pm at www.CPPSB.com or via the CPPSB app on smart phones or mobile devices.