HICO, W.Va. — Emily Dickerson and Laurel Johnson each scored 16 points as Midland Trail claimed a Class A, Region 3 championship with a 56-41 win over Montcalm.
The Patriots (19-6) are headed to the state tournament for the first time in a decade.
“I really thought there was a good chance we could get here,” said Midland Trail head coach Matthew Harper. “We have just two seniors but they are great leaders. Emily (Dickerson) is playing real well as a sophomore so I thought it was realistic.”
The Patriots used a 13-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to take a 19-6 lead. Montcalm’s 8-2 spurt late in the half closed the halftime deficit to 24-14.
The Generals crept within 31-30 with a 12-1 run late in the third quarter, but the Patriots outscored Montcalm 18-9 in the final period to clinch the regional title.
Savanna Bailey led Montcalm (16-7) with 15 points and Destiny Ball added 10.
When the Generals pulled within a point in the third quarter, Midland Trail went box-and-one to slow down Bailey.
“She’s a really good player,” Harper said. “We decided we were going to take her out of the game and make someone else beat us. It seemed to work pretty well.”
The Patriots will be the No. 8 seed in the state tournament and will face top-seeded Huntington St. Joseph’s in the quarterfinals Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.