Ashley Sweeney (3) of Cedarville scores over Brittany Oman (25) of North Dickinson in the second half. The Cedarville Trojans girls basketball team made history with the school's first Class D quarterfinals win after a 63-54 victory over the North Dickinson Nordics Tuesday, March 4, at Negaunee High School.

"I hope this quarterfinal win will give our program the respect the girls deserve," said Trojans Coach Sonja Duncan. "The boys won their first quarterfinal during the 2006 tourney run, and last season won the Class D state championship, and the girls want to be part of the success that the boys have experienced over the last three years."

The Trojans, with a 24-2 overall record this season, have set another school record with the most wins in the girls program.

The Trojans lost to Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in the state semifinals game Thursday, March 6.

In the quarterfinals match-up, Caitlin Wright drained consecutive triples to give the Trojans a 10-4 lead at the five-minute mark of the first quarter before the Nordics answered with six points to cut the Cedarville advantage to 16-13 after the first eight minutes.

Jessie Duncan (12) hits a triple during the second half of the Trojans quarterfinal win over the Nordics. Billie McLeod, who scored 12 first-half points, lifted the Trojans to a 22-19 lead, but North Dickinson scored six unanswered points for a 25-22 lead. Jillian Collins made two free throws and Ashley Sweeney added a twopoint field goal during the closing minute as the Trojans came back to take a 26-25 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, the game was tied three times, Cedarville held two leads, and North Dickinson had five leads, including a 38-34 lead with 3:15 left in the period.

The Trojans outscored the Nordics 11-2 as Sweeney answered with six points, Jessie Duncan added three, and Caitlin Wright notched two, to give Cedarville a 48-40 advantage going into the final eight minutes.

Cedarville continued to build on its lead and held the score at 55- 47 with 5:50 left in the game, but Betsy Holsworth hit her fourth triple of the game and Brittany Oman made one of two free throws to slice the Trojans' lead to 55-51, with 4:41 on the clock.

Caitlin Wright (20) of Cedarville drains a first quarter threepointer during the Trojans win over the Nordics. The Trojans answered with eight consecutive points as McLeod scored four and Wright and Duncan chipped in two to clinch the quarterfinal win.

"The one key for us was boxing out at both ends of the offensive and defensive rebounding, and our physical play," added Coach Duncan. "We weren't intimidated and wanted to set the pace of the game."

The Trojans hauled down 37 rebounds as McLeod recorded 13 boards, while Wright grabbed 11.

Cedarville made 25 field goals, six triples, and made seven of 10 free throws during the game. North Dickinson recorded 21 field goals, six triples, and made six of 10 from the free throw line.

Trojans statistics: Billie Mc- Leod, 18 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, two assists; Jessie Duncan, 17 points, four rebounds, three assists; Caitlin Wright, 13 points, 11 rebounds, six steals, four assists; Ashley Sweeney, 13 points, five assists, four steals; Jillian Collins, two points, six rebounds, three steals.

Nordics statistics: Jessica Roell, 22 points; Betsy Holsworth, 14 points; Brittany Oman, 10 points; Emily Lehto, four points; Kristin Luedtke, three points; Megan Harper, one point.

Girls Reflect on

Quarterfinals Win

Tri-captains Caitlin Wright, Katie Bowlby, and Jessie Duncan, along with Ashley Sweeney, Billie McLeod, Jillian Collins, and Kacie Simpson, reflected on the team's first quarterfinals win in school history after the game.

"Our success has meant a lot to everyone and we have focused on each game," said Miss Wright. "We are playing well and I hope the success continues."

"This year I have contributed, and we have peaked at the right time and are playing well," said Miss Bowlby.

"Our goals are to win the state championship," said Miss Duncan. "This is an unbelievable feeling and all the hard work during the season has paid off."

"This is a great feeling and everyone has stepped up and played well," said Miss Sweeney.

"We are excited about the tournament run and our success has been because of the total team effort," said Miss McLeod.

"This has been great and we have a feeling about what the boys went through during the last three years," said Miss Collins.

Kacie Simpson has missed the season after having surgery on her knee. This has been a tough time for the junior, who would have contributed on the playing court, but she still has been part of the program and is looking forward to next year, she said.

"This has been tough not being able to play, but the girls have made me feel part of the team," said Miss Simpson.

Sweet 16 Overall Record

Cedarville, one of the 16 remaining teams, Class A through D, in the quarterfinals, compiled a 375-33 overall record heading into the state semifinals Thursday, March 6.

The four Class D teams recorded a 98-5 record, Class A went 96- 10, Class B teams went 94-5, and Class C teams compiled an 88-14 record up through the regional finals.