Seniors Power Brebeuf Into Indiana 3A Finals

Indianapolis Brebeuf Jesuit Academy defeats Evansville Memorial in the 3A Indiana Girl's Basketball Semi-Finals.

INDIANAPOLIS (PRWEB) March 2, 2004 --Following Brebeuf's 63-56 win over Evansville Memorial in the Indiana High School Girl's Southport Semi-State for Class 3A, senior point guard Amanda Quattrocchi comment summed it up.

"I'm going to state, baby!," Quattrocchi exclaimed.

Along with Kyra Pappas and Amber Jackson, Brebuef's senior trio combined to score 44 of the Braves' 63 points.

"It's awesome for these kids," Brebuef Coach Kendall Kreinhagen said. "I came in with these kids four years ago and to see their development and what they have done - They deserve this."

Two years ago, when Quattrocchi was a sophomore, the Braves were regarded as the favorite in Class 3A, but fell to Gibson Southern in Semi-State. Quattrocchi felt this was a statement game for Brebuef.

"Sophomore year, we gave it all we could but just fell short," she said. "This game was just getting back and showing them that we can get to state and show them what we are really all about."

With the game tied at 41 at the end of three quarters, Amber Jackson took over. The 6'2 senior scored six-straight points to give the Braves a 47-42 lead with 6:18 remaing in the game. Jackson scored 10 of her team-high 20 points in the quarter.

"She has been on a mission and she's not going to stop," Kreinhagen said of Jackson. "She's got that capability to take over a game and she knows when it's her time to do it and she did that in the fourth quarter."

Evansville Memorial's sensational sophomore guard, FahKara Malone responded by scoring six-straight point of her own. Her free throws with 3:40 left cut the deficit to 51-48. After Amber Jackson knocked down a short jumper to extend the lead to five, Malone knocked down a three. The Tigers trailed by two points with less than two minutes left in the game.

"You can't say enough about that kid," Kreinhagen said of Malone, who scored a game-high 28 points. "I've heard alot about her. It's one this to hear about her, but another to actually see her play."

Consecutive layups by 6'6 freshman Ta'Shia Phillips and Pappas sealed the deal for Brebuef.

The Braves will take on Fort Wayne Luers for the Class 3A State Championship next Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse. The two teams met earlier in the season, with Brebuef coming away with a 56-40 road victory.

Indianabball.com