Pre game introductions and we've got a pretty good crowd so far. The parking lot was mostly filled up 15 minutes before game time. So if you haven't started your way out to Kamiakin High School for the boys game, you'd best get going.
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Eastmont comes out firing with a 14-7 first-quarter lead. Kamiakin is giving up a lot of second chances in the paint. Wildcats' senior Charity Degman is killing the Braves with six points and four rebounds in the first frame. Eastmont has seven offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone.
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Wildcats keep it going with two more second chances in the second quarter, getting two quick buckets to push the lead to 18-9.
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The run Eastmont knew was coming is here. Courtney Nelson scores eight points during a 17-4 run that gave Kamiakin a 25-22 lead to end the second half.
She hit a pair of free throws with 6:05 left to start the run. Then, after Sira Toure drained a long jumper from the right wing, Nelson stole the inbounds pass and drove in for another bucket to cut the Wildcats' lead to 18-17.
Degman missed a shot on the other end, and Toure dribbled in and dished off to Lindsey Schauble to give Kamiakin its first lead since early in the first quarter at 19-18.
The Braves have done a better job of rebounding on the defensive end, which cut down on second-chance points. Plus, Kamiakin's ball pressure has forced six turnovers in the second quarter.
However, Toure and Courtney Nelson are both in a bit of foul trouble. They both have three fouls, which means coach Tammy Hutchison will have to decide whether to pull them back a bit in the third quarter.
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Kamiakin starts out hot in the second half. Nelson scores on a putback and then nails four free throws for a personal 6-0 run to start the third.
31-24 Braves with 6:40 left in quarter.
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Bekah Waterhouse scores for Eastmont in transition, and then Nelson and Khadidja Toure combine for a 10-3 run that pushes the lead to 44-27 with 3:50 left in the third.
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Third quarter ends with Braves ahead 49-34. Kamiakin's pressure has worn Eastmont down. The Wildcats need to find that energy they came out with in the first quarter if they want to get back in it.
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Eastmont going back to Degman now. She's got six points so far, less than halfway through the fourth quarter. There's not much the Braves can do to stop her once she gets position.
Kamiakin isn't missing much, though. Nelson missed a short jumper on the Braves' first possession, and then Kamiakin hit its next five shots in a row to make it 61-39 with just over 5 minutes left in the game.
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Khadidja shooting free throws with 1:08 left and Tammy brings all the starters out to a nice hand. Once Khadidja hits the second, she earns a trip to the sideline and a nice ovation.
This one's over. Braves win 68-51 and Kamiakin earns its second consecutive CBBN 3A district championship. Plus, they clinch a berth in the regional round of the CBBN 3A state playoffs.
