By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

McDERMOTT — For someone who hasn’t been to the dance the past couple of years, the St. Joseph Female Flyers did quite a two-step.

With no team two years ago and skipping the postseason last year, the Female Flyers played in the Division IV sectional tournament on Wednesday and stunned the Manchester Lady Greyhounds 37-25.

“We kept our composure for the most part. It’s just a big win four our team because we haven’t played in the tournament for two years and we beat a team that plays good competition,” said St. Joseph coach Nick Miller.

The Female Flyers (11-10) earned a berth in Saturday’s sectional finals behind a strong defense and some clutch foul shooting. St. Joseph was 16 of 18 from the line.

Hannah Miller — one of for freshmen starters — led the Female Flyers with 25 points including 13 of 14 at the line. She also had 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists.

Becca Patrick had 6 rebounds and 3 steals while Amber Neal added 6 points.

Hannah Rideout scored 10 points to lead Manchester (8-13).

“Sarah Neal didn’t score but she’s 5-8 and she was guarding their 5-11 girl. She really toughed it out and kept her off the boards,” said coach Miller. “Defense and free throws were the keys to the game.”

Miller and Neal combined for 8 points in the first quarter but Rideout had 6 points and Haylee Adams hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Manchester a 13-8 lead.

The Lady Greyhounds stretched the lead to 17-10 but Miller scored 7 points as St. Joseph tied the game at the half, 17-17.

The defense held Manchester to 3 points in the third quarter and Miller scored 6 points as St. Joseph took a 29-20 lead.

Miller scored 8 points in the fourth quarter and was 6 of 6 at the line to lead the fourth quarter offense while the defense limited Manchester to only 5 points.

“We talked to them about being aggressive and not letting (Rideout) get any looks in the post,” said coach Miller.

The Female Flyers will play Portsmouth Notre Dame at 1 p.m. Saturday in the sectional finals at Northwest High School.

St. Joseph 8 9 12 8 = 37

Manchester 13 4 3 5 = 25

SAINT JOSEPH (11-10): Meg Alexander 1 0 0-0 2, Katie Roach 0 0 2-2 2, Amber Neal 3 0 0-0 6, Sarah Neal 0 0 0-0 0, Becca Patrick 1 0 0-0 2, Hannah Miller 4 1 13-14 25, Haley Bartram 0 0 1-2 2, Molly Miller 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10-45 16-18 37. 3-point goals: 1-2. Rebounds: 9-16=25 (H. Miller 9, Patrick 6). Assists: 2 (H. Miller 2). Steals: 15 (H. Miller 4, Patrick 3). Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.

MANCHESTER (8-13): Haylee Adams 1 2 0-0 8, Hannah Rideout 5 0 0-0 10, Rainelle Casey 2 0 1-2 5, Brett Himes 0 0 0-0 0, Victoria Chaney 0 0 0-0 0, Haley Casey 1 0 0-0 2, Taylor Himes 0 0 0-0 0, Jayland Boyd 0 0 0-0 0, McKaylen Stamper 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 2 1-2 25. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.