ARCOLA — Salt Fork’s Brian Russell has coached thousands of basketball games, but he couldn’t believe that Tuesday’s sectional loss to Decatur St. Teresa in the IHSA Class 1A Arcola Sectional was so much like last year’s sectional championship loss to Altamont.
The Lady Storm, who finished the year with a school-record 29 victories, was right there against the Bulldogs before St. Teresa pulled out a 38-32 victory in prep girls basketball. Last year, Altamont defeated Salt Fork 39-29.
“The only way that I can describe it, the ball just didn’t bounce our way,’’ said Russell. “There are a lot of things that happened in that game that you just look at, and think, if the ball bounces an inch that way or the ball goes down instead of up, it’s different.
“The girls played their hearts out. It’s just unfortunate the ball didn’t bounce our way tonight.”
In both tournament losses for Salt Fork in the last two years, it’s been a simple case of shots not falling for the Storm.
St. Teresa (20-7) overcame a 12-11 halftime deficit with a big third quarter, outscoring Salt Fork 18-9 to take an 8-point advantage into the game’s final eight minutes.
“You have to come out and play a really good game — I thought we did,’’ Russell said. “A couple of things didn’t go our way. We had a shot at the end of the game to win it and the ball just didn’t bounce our way.
“That’s all you can ask for.’’
Salt Fork closed within a point (33-32) with 1 minute, 43 seconds left and had the ball. But St. Teresa forced a turnover that turned into a layup and made 3-of-4 free throws to secure the victory and its spot in Thursday’s sectional championship against Effingham St. Anthony, a 45-34 winner over Arcola in the other sectional semifinal.
“That’s kind of the whole game in a nutshell. We couldn’t get the ball rolling. I lost count how many times the ball rattled in and then popped right out,’’ Russell said. “I can remember at least four. It was just one of those nights. The girls kept fighting, even when things weren’t going our way.’’
Salt Fork senior Alexa Jamison scored a team-high 16 points in the loss. Jamison, who scored more than 2,000 points in her career at Salt Fork, will continue her playing career at Danville Area Community College next season.
“She is a special kid,’’ Russell said. “Take away the athletic part of it, she is just a special kid. She has been a part of four straight county championships, back-to-back regionals, winning 29 games this year.
“It’s been a spectacular four years. I’ve been honored to coach her and I look forward to seeing her play at DACC.’’
Rhaelyn Flak and ZuZu Abudayya were the other seniors on the Salt Fork roster. Flak was also a four-year participant with Jamison.
“Rhaelyn is another fabulous kid,’’ Russell said. “Whatever I asked her to do, she did it.’’
Lucy Corley scored 15 of her game-high 22 points in the second half to lead St. Teresa, while Jalie Eller added 10 in the winning effort.
Other scorers for the Storm on Thursday was Bracie Hird with 5, Taylor Remole had 4, Brycie Hird finished with 3 and Morgan Russell had 2.