The Wayne High girls basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the Mid State Conference tournament with a 52-38 win over O’Neill in action Monday at Northeast Community College.
Wayne trailed early in the game, but took the lead for good late in the first quarter on a three-point play by Kylie Hammer. Molly Hoskins hit a 3-pointer with time winding down to give Wayne a 17-12 lead after one period.
O’Neill stayed in the game through the end of the half, cutting Wayne’s lead down to three points at the half and scoring the opening basket of the second half to make it a 23-22 game. Wayne took control after that, outscoring the Lady Eagles 17-5 the rest of the third period, with Frankie Klaussen’s 3-pointer capping the run to give Wayne a 40-27 lead going to the fourth period and they cruised form there to the first-round win and improve to 15-5 on the season.
Hammer led the way with 19 points, Kelsey Boyer added seven and Morgan Keating put in six to lead a balanced attack. Lindy Sandoz put in four points, Klaussen and Hoskins each had three and Allison Echtenkamp, Jamie Gamble, Jenna Trenhaile, Ashton Boyer and Gabi Meyer each had two points.
Wayne will face top-seeded Guardian Angels Central Catholic on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Northeast Community College.
