Lady Bombers Move To Section 7A Semi-Finals

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Mar 3, 3012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

DULUTH- The Barnum Bombers advanced to the Section Semi-Finals with a quarterfinal victory on Saturday afternoon over the Panthers of South Ridge by a score of 58-35 at Duluth Denfeld High School.

Barnum, playing in Section 7A for the first time in several years, will make a return trip to the sectional semi-finals in Section 7A, the last time they played in Section 7A playoffs the Bombers lost to Big Fork in the 2007 section semi-finals.

The Bombers open up Saturday afternoon using a more slow it down methodical offense with the Bombers establishing the inside game with Daron Mainville. Mainville made her presence know inside, as she connected on her first four shots down low.

With the Bombers working the ball inside on offense, it was a defense which showed great pressure on the Panthers guards; and with great Barnum instincts inside, the Panthers struggled all afternoon to work the ball inside against the Barnum defense.

The Bombers opened up the first half going on an 18-2 run to start the game, which led to a halftime lead of 28-9. Barnum came out strong in the second half as they quickly built a 30 point lead midway through the second half.

Barnum, who connected on eight 3-pointers on the afternoon, also saw the Panthers struggle from the outside as South Ridge was 0-12 from beyond the three point line. Both teams also struggled from the free throw line, with South Ridge connecting on 50% while the Bombers shot 46% from the charity stripe.

The Bombers were led by Daron Mainville, who finished with 24 points. Claudia Turner added 14, Claire Rodgers added 8, Katie Myhre finished with 6, and it was Cheyanne Johnson and Caitlyn Rodgers both adding 3 points in the Barnum victory.

The Panthers were led by Kaylee Hage, who scored 9 points. Mikalya Olesiak finished with 8, Kendra Dallmann scored 7, Alyssa Johnson had 5, Justice Janke 4 and it was Laurel Morris closing with 2 points for the Panthers.

The Bombers now improve to 23-5 on the season and will face the undefeated Northwood’s Grizzles in the Section 7A Semi -Finals at UMD on Wednesday night at 6:00 pm. The Panthers fall to 13-13 in their inaugural season as the South Ridge Panthers.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com