Wayne used an 18-3 run in the final five minutes to hold off a Norfolk Catholic comeback and post a 50-36 win in C1-5 subdistrict action Tuesday at Norfolk High School.
Wayne used a 12-0 run in the first half to build a 16-6 advantage, thanks to a pair of scores by Jamie Gamble and baskets by Tori Kniesche, Frankie Klausen and Kylie Hammer. Hammer made back-to-back scores late in the half to give the Blue Devils a 12-point lead, but Norfolk Catholic hit a late 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 20-11 at intermission.
The Knights rallied in the third quarter and turned the nine-point halftime margin into a one-point lead going to the fourth quarter. The two teams traded leads and the Knights led 33-32 before Hammer hit two free throws to give Wayne the lead for good.
The Blue Devils slowly rebuilt their lead and Hammer hit a 3-pointer and a layup on consecutive possessions to give Wayne a 10-point advantage, and Norfolk Catholic was never in the game after that as the top-seeded Blue Devils advanced to Thursday’s 7 p.m. subdistrict final against second-seeded Pierce.
Hammer scored a game-high 22 points for the 17-8 Blue Devils. Frankie Klausen put in nine points, Gamble and Jenna Trenaile each had six, Gabi Meyer scored four, Kniesche had two and Molly Hoskins put in a free throw.
Trenhaile led the team with nine rebounds, while Hammer had six and Meyer and Hoskins both had five. Hammer had four assists and five steals.
