Charleston Paper Recap

CHARLESTON - This was no easy task for Galesburg.

Despite what the scoreboard said, Charleston fought hard for as long as it could before Galesburg erupted for 44 second-half points to win the Charleston Holiday Tournament championship 74-57.

"I thought Charleston handled our press well," said Galesburg coach Evan Massey. "They were a tough group to press. We didn't finish well in the first half, but we had enough composure to finish well in the second half."

Galesburg came out gunning early with four different players scoring baskets to give the Silver Streaks the early lead. Charleston's Megan Hjort's two jump shots would fall to start off the game. The Trojans would keep fighting under the basket with points coming from forwards Mary Jackson and Courtney Carver to only trail by two early.

Paige Klinck's 3-point shot kept Galesbug in front, but Carver's basket consecutive baskets would give CHS its first lead of the ballgame. Galesburg's Hannah Smith kept the Charleston faithful cheers short by converting the shot while getting fouled by Hjort, as well as the free throw after to stay ahead 19-17.

The cheers would come back after Jackson found Megan O'Dell on the wing for her 3-point shot to tie the game.

The Charleston defense was holding their own on Galesburg. The team couldn't find their outside game either combining for 3-18 from outside the arc after one half.

"I thought our defense did a good job in the first half in taking away the three ball," said coach Jeff Miller.

Galesburg's Jessica Lieber, averaging 16.8 points per game during the tournament, would hit the buzzer beater at halftime, but only had seven points so far. She finally found her shot by knocking down a trey, only the beginning of her game high 21 points.

The Trojans weren't going to go away quietly though.

O'Dell and Gossett would charge to the basket for layups to cut the deficit to six, but it was Lieber, once again playing excellent ball. Lieber finished the third quarter with 13 points, and Galesburg saw their biggest lead of the night at eleven.

Miller said, "I'm happy with our effort tonight. We fought hard throughout the entire game, and it was close up until middle of the fourth quarter. I'm just really happy for our girls tonight."

3-point shots by Paige Klinck and Allison Mangeiri and late turnovers would seal Charleston's fate. In the end, there's still plenty to be proud of this CHS team that, before this tournament, lost eight straight games, and finished seventh place last year.

"I'm proud of our girls. Who would have thought a week a go would be playing for a championship? We got out of that losing streak. This is great for the girls."

Galesburg 13 17 25 19-74

Charleston 11 14 19 8-54

GALESBURG: Mageirie 1-0-3; Klinck 2-0-6; Lieber 5-5-20; Hamilton 2-0-4; Williams 3-0-7; Anderson 1-2-4; Sibley 1-1-3; Junk 2-0-4; Smith 2-1-5; Teel 0-0-0. Totals 19-10-74. Rebounds 30 (Williams 6); Assists 7 (Diggins 2); Steals 15 (Lieber 5); Blocks 1; Turnovers 12.

CHARLESTON: Gossett 3-1-7; O'Dell 6-3-18; Hjort 4-0-8; Jackson 3-0-6; Carver 5-1-11; Miller M. 2-2-6; Ronk 2-0-4. Totals 24-7-57. Rebounds 29 (Jackson 8); Assists 17 (Gossett/O'Dell 5); Steals 4; Blocks 3; Turnovers 28.

All tournament team

Jessica Lieber, Galesburg (MVP); Courtney Gossett, Charleston; Mary Jackson, Charleston; Megan O'Dell, Charleston; Sydnee Sturdivant, Decatur Eisenhower; Sharron Diggins, Galesburg; Hannah Wascher, Rantoul; Megan Temples, Paris; Savannah Buckles, Taylorville; Chrissie Webers, Taylorville

Read more: http://jg-tc.com/sports/galesburg-wins-charleston-tourney-over-lady-trojans/article_69386c60-336c-11e1-a6de-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1iFESiso6