Girls basketball takes on O’Fallon in 4A Sectional Finals

Inkspot Staff • Feb 23, 2023

Photo Courtesy of: Jeff Christopherson

Gianna Rawlings led Community in scoring over United Township, sinking five 3s. Rawlings is averaging two 3s a game this season.

Community’s girls basketball team looks to extend its historic 31-3 run tonight when the Iron take on the O’Fallon Panthers (30-4) in the 4A Sectional Finals.

The Iron look to claim the program’s first Sectional Title since 2005 when the team tips off at O’Fallon at 7 p.m. The Panthers are undefeated at home this season, boasting a 12-0 record.

The Iron enter the matchup coming off a 60-22 rout over United Township in Tuesday night’s Sectional Semifinals.

Perimeter shooting was the key to the Iron victory as Community sunk 10 shots from beyond the arc against U.T.

Junior Gianna Rawlings opened the game by hitting a 3-pointer to give the Iron a lead they would never relinquish.

Community hit five 3s in the contest’s opening quarter to take a 27-5 lead after eight minutes of play.

All 15 of Rawlings’ points came from beyond the arc; the junior hit five 3s to finish the night as the Iron’s leading scorer. Olivia Corson contributed 14 for the Iron.

The Iron look to repeat their success outside the arc when they face O’Fallon. Community enters tonight’s matchup averaging 6.6 3-pointers a game, shooting 30.6%.

Community’s success from downtown Tuesday came without any 3-point attempts from the team’s leading perimeter shooter Ali Ince.

Ince is shooting 3-pointers at a 42.3% clip — but has not attempted a triple in Community’s last two contests.

The winner of tonight’s contest advances to Monday’s Super-Sectionals at Illinois Wesleyan’s Shirk Center.

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Inkspot Staff

Stories published under Inkspot Staff are unattributed to a single reporter because they: have been produced through a collaborative staff effort; individual staff member contribution is not easily distinguishable; and/or the story was disseminated from announcements or press releases.