Posen fends off Hillman comeback to advance to district final

Posen senior forward Whitney Meeder scored nine of her season-high 23 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday as the Vikings were able to thwart a couple of late rallies by Hillman and advance to the Class D District championship game in Atlanta. Posen (13-8), which is going for its second consecutive district title, is paired with Johannesburg-Lewiston, a one-point winner Tuesday over Atlanta. Game time for Friday’s district final is 7 p.m. The Vikings defeated the Tigers, 54-47.

“We beat a good team,” said coach Tom Schellie. Hillman had erased a 10-point Posen lead November 4, to shock the Vikings. The players were determined to not let it happen again. Schellie implemented a 1-2-2 zone defense against the Tigers, which the girls executed extremely well. The halftime lead was 25-18 in favor of Posen, but the Vikings came out of the locker room firing. A pair of baskets by Mary Calhoun and Meeder put the Vikes in front by 10. After a fourth quarter three pointer by Calhoun, the lead was up to 11, 46-35.

Hillman’s big girl Jessica Robinson started making shot

s in close with nice post moves. Just inside three minutes, the Tigers were within four points, 46-42. After a Posen turnover, Robinson got the ball again, and had a great look at the basket, but didn’t get the roll.

The play of the game, which would have made the ESPN highlight reel, came moments later when Meeder jumped in the air to steal a pass and immediately went on the fast break. She dished the ball to Katie Lewandowski across the court, who tossed the ball inside to Roxann Hincka under the basket. Hincka put the shot down. That was followed by another field goal by Meeder for an eight-point lead.

“Hillman keeps coming at you,” said Schellie. “We were patient and worked hard.” Calhoun finished with 15 points in the contest. Posen is looking to win its third district title in four years.