IHSA Class 1A state semifinals recap: Schlarman, Eastland will meet for championship

The IHSA Class 1A state championship and third-place game is set with Danville Schlarman set to defend its title against Lanark Eastland.

Eastland 64, Tri-County 63

Eastland led for most of the first quarter before Tri-County began settling in. But when Tri-County seemed to have things in control with a 58-51 lead with 3:33 left, Eastland answered with an 8-1 run to tie the game at 59.

Best play: Eastland’s Erin Henze (2020) drove the ball to the right-side wing before handing it off, cutting to the right block,moving baseline and again out to the left wing where she was wide-open for a 3-pointer. It gave Eastland a 62-61 lead with 40 seconds left.

MVP: Erin Henze – 25 points (7-12/6-8/5-6); 3 steals, 2 rebounds, 2 assists

Eastland impression: The Cougars don’t win this game without Lydia Coatney’s (2020) play in the first half. She finished with 19 points and gave them a lift as Henze struggled to get open looks and Karlie Krogman (2020) went 2-for-16 in the post.

Tri-County impression: Kiersten Price-Wilson (2019) didn’t get enough touches with as efficient as she was in the post. She created opportunities for herself off the offensive glass, too.

Schlarman 58, Lewistown 41

Lewistown gave Schlarman it’s best punch, and Hilltoppers close Keith Peoples even said it’s one of the best teams they’ve played. Lewistown led 12-9 after one quarter and aside from a late run by Capria Brown (2020), was tied late in the second quarter. The Hilltoppers regrouped and attacked in transition with better ball pressure.

Best play: McDonald’s All-American Anaya Peoples (2019) had a pair of plays worthy. The first came early in the game when she secured an offensive rebound at the left elbow and used a spin move to get baseline and lay it in off the glass. The second play came late when Lewistown’s Anna Heffren (2020) drove baseline and Peoples grabbed her shot out of mid-air.

MVP: Capria Brown 23 points (9-19/1-2/4-6); 6 steals, 4 rebounds

Schlarman impression: The Hilltoppers are incredibly talented and know what it takes to win, of course after winning it all last year. Anaya Peoples made championship plays, Capria Brown took over the game but 5-10 forward McKaylee Allen (2021) gave the biggest lift off the bench with 11 points and 7 rebounds on 3-of-5 shooting.

Lewistown impression: Lewistown matched up well with the Hilltoppers but didn’t have enough size in the end. When the Indians got open perimeter looks (4-for-6), they nailed them. Sydney Shaeffer (2020) was determined to help her team out and was fearless driving to the basket. Paige Bennett (2019) battled on the boards as one of the tallest Indians, grabbing 7, hitting 2-of-3 shots for five points and dishing three assists.