Danville calmly takes over
In the past when Danville has won the area tournament, Wilson wouldn’t let his team cut down the nets.
“That’s because we haven’t done anything yet,” Wilson said. “All that did was give us the chance to host a sub-regional game.”
However, that was different Thursday night, as the Lady Hawks won the sub-regional match-up in Danville’s final home game of the 2012-2013 season. Now Danville is headed back to Wallace State for the fourth time in seven years.
Both teams played at a frantic pace during the first quarter. Cordova attacked Danville’s full-court press and built an 18-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Because of that and having to bench point guard Tara Tuck with three first-half fouls, Wilson changed to his “123” three-quarters press.
That made a huge difference.
Even though Danville was ice cold from the field making just eight of 38 field goals, Cordova could never extend the lead past seven points.
Danville was able to close the gap late as Charlee Anderson hit a couple of free throws and Jesse Oliver added a late basket, cutting the lead to 26-23 by halftime.
Wilson was worried moments into the third quarter as Alexis Cooper drove the baseline and hit a lay-up.
From that point on, the Blue Devils struggled while Danville calmly took control. Gracie George a pair of 3-pointers moments later, the second of which came from NBA range to give Danville a 31-30 lead.
“Those threes were huge,” Wilson said. “I got worried after we gave up that opening lay-up, but when she hit those threes, we finally started to take control.”