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Schools

Regional Rally Ends For JCA

Christina Ekhomu scored 7 of her team-high 13 points in the fourth quarter, but the Joliet Catholic Academy girls basketball team dropped a 61-54 regional semifinal decision.

Twice within a 58-second stretch late in the fourth quarter, the Joliet Catholic Academy girls basketball team put the scoring pressure square into the hands of sophomore guard Christina Ekhomu.

All 5-feet-5 of the Bolingbrook native was needed at 2:35 left as Ekhomu turned a steal into a layup, cutting the deficit down to 50-49. Her corner 3-pointer rallied the Angels again, to 54-52 at 1:37 left.

And, then, like a fingersnap …

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“I felt in my mind that we had it,” Ekhomu said. “I really did. I strongly believed that we had it. Maybe if we could have taken an extra step in the first half, we could have had this game. It was very winnable.”

For top-seeded Aurora Central Catholic, it would be a win built from the free-throw line. The Chargers shot 37-of-50 Wednesday night to grease a 61-54 decision in the Class 2A Plano Regional semifinals.

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But circle this date on the calendar for fourth-seeded JCA (9-16). Youth was served, causing ACC (21-6) to sweat out a win that saw the Chargers gain their biggest lead at 31-21 just 1:18 into the third quarter.

Three times, the Angels slipped within one point, initially at 35-34 in the third on a pair of threes by junior guard Miranda Morales and at 37-36 on a pull-up jumper by freshman guard Cierra Stanciel.

After the Chargers gained a 43-36 lead at the break and a 45-36 edge 26 seconds into the fourth, Ekhomu scored 7 of her team-high 13 points. JCA was limited to a Derrick Rose-like drive by sophomore guard Naomi Mayes in the closing 90 seconds as ACC aced the line, going 14-of-16 in the final quarter.

“They made fewer mistakes than we did the whole game and they made a ton of free throws,” JCA coach Ed Schodrof said. “We had some silly fouls, some mental errors, and we have to become more of a cerebral team. That’s the key. They’re a senior-laden team that didn’t make the mistakes we did.”

“They were great at the line,” Ekhomu nodded. “They really didn’t miss that many free throws at all.”

Still, all hands were on deck for JCA, which received 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals from Mayes and 9 points, 5 steals and 3 rebounds from Stanciel. Ekhomu added 5 rebounds and 5 steals and junior forward TreVonya McClain, who had 5 rebounds, scored each of her 7 points in the second half.

Despite trailing 6-1 to open the first quarter, JCA jumped ahead 9-8 by 1:52 left on back-to-back jumpers from Ekhomu. ACC, however, regained the lead at 14-12 at the break and also led 27-21 at halftime.

“We started the game tight — nervous,” Schodrof said. “Our energy was really good in the last three quarters, and Christina played very well on the offensive end. We’ve grown up as a team, and I think this game will help us grow up even more. The future looks bright, but we have to tighten up some things.”

“We know how this feels now,” Ekhomu said. “Next year, we’re going to come out hard and we’re going to be ready. We’ve grown up a little, but we’re ready to grow up more, and next year, we’ve got it.”

NOTES: Senior center Shannon Butler and senior forward Meagan Williams both fouled out. Butler departed 26 seconds in the fourth, putting ACC into the superbonus. She had 3 points and 9 rebounds. The 6-1 Williams marked 4 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.  “When we look back, when the program does get going on a high level, Shannon and Meagan will be two of the first names that come to mind,” Schodrof said. “They did everything they were asked, all the extra stuff, and they’re tough, blue-collar kids.” … Jacqueline Cardova paced ACC with a game-high 21 points, shooting 15-of-18 from the line. Lisa Rodriguez had 10 points, Ashley Wilk added 9 points and 12 rebounds and Katilyn Rosa notched 9 points and 11 rebounds. Tess Alderman contributed 8 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals … JCA shot 22-of-62 from the floor to the Chargers’ 12-of-33, but converted a mere 4-of-22 from 3-point range … The Angels were outrebounded 43-30 and battled a 29-13 disadvantage in fouls, but owned a 20-5 advantage in steals.

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