By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com
HART–The Mason County Central Spartans punched their ticket to the Division 3 district championship game with a district semifinal win over the White Cloud Indians on Wednesday.
The Spartans captured a 54-29 victory. They now face Hart at 7 p.m, Friday with a district title up for grabs.
The Spartans had a well-balanced scoring attack as junior Wren Nelson had a game high 18 points. Joining her in double figures was sophomore Evangeline Hradel with 14 points. Junior Riley Mast scored nine points while sophomore Mallory Miller contributed eight points.
“I thought the girls did a really good job tonight,” Mason Central coach Mike Weinert said. “They brought a lot of energy and discipline especially on the defensive side of the ball. I thought we hit the boards pretty good and we got out on the break when we could. I thought we took care of the ball pretty good as well tonight.”
Mason County Central and White Cloud were all knotted up at 8-8 after the first quarter. The Spartans held a 24-14 lead at the break.
Nelson scored eight points in the second quarter while Miller tossed in six points to lead the Spartans surge.
Nelson stayed hot after the break and poured in eight points in the period as the Spartans increased their lead by the end of the third quarter to 42-25 outscoring White Cloud 18-11 in the quarter. Mason County Central held a 12-11 advantage during the final eight minutes as Hradel scored six points for the Spartans.
White Cloud senior Kiara Edwards led the Indians with 11 points. Senior Gabriella Reeve tossed in 10 points.
White Cloud finished their season 8-13.
Mason County Central (19-4) will face Hart (19-3) on Friday for the district championship. Hart won both regular-season games handily.
“We’re going to have to shoot the ball well against Hart,” said Weinert. “The girls will have to follow the game plan and we’ll have to rebound as well.”
Photos courtesy of LSJ photographer Joe Washington
