ASHLAND - A strong second half surge by top-seeded Shelby pushed the Lady Whippets into the Division II District championship at Ashland where they knocked off #7 Mansfield Senior in a semifinal showdown, 64-49.

 

Making their first district appearance in 11 seasons, the youthful Lady Tygers (11-12) started icy cold from the floor, falling into a 14-8 hole by the end of the first. Shelby (16-3) would allow Senior High to claw their way back into the game with a 15-9 second quarter run, however, that knotted up the game at 23-23 by the halftime break.

 

The third is where the Lady Whippets started to create some separation as the playoff inexperience of the Tygers began to rear its head. The 3-headed combo of Haylee Baker, Sophia Niese and Olivia Baker, who earned Player of the Game honors, combined for 48 points with Olivia scoring 22. Shelby started the third on a 14-2 run and would never be challenged again as they raced into the finals where they will face longtime rival #2 Bellevue.

 

Watch the full broadcast with Brian Skowronski and Zach Massa on the call on the video above.