Steady
free throw shooting down the stretch lifted Harlan to an upset in the Class 3A
quarterfinals.
The Cyclones outscored
fourth-ranked Williamsburg 11-4 over the final 4:17 and beat the Raiders 45-37
on Tuesday night. Harlan got only one field goal during that stretch, but made
nine of 10 free throws.
Kelli Goeser led eighth-ranked
Harlan with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Nicole Wolken added 14 points, Whitney
Jacobs scored seven and Ashley Brown six.
Kelsey Witte's 12 points led
Williamsburg. Teammate Mackenzie Westcott added 11 points, seven rebounds and
five blocks, while Alyssa Capper had eight points and four assists.
Harlan went ahead to stay early in the
second quarter, then fought off Williamsburg the rest of the way. The Cyclones
were leading just 34-33 when Jacobs sank two free throws to start the decisive
run.
Now 22-3, Harlan plays next in
the semifinals at 8 p.m. Thursday. Williamsburg played in the state tournament
for the first time and finishes 23-2.