MONTICELLO - Their second game of the season against Warrensburg-Latham was over by halftime. The Unity girls' basketball team enjoyed a 23-9 lead thanks to Addison Ray's three treys in the first two periods en route to a 49-34 regional semifinal win over the Cardinals on Monday.
Illinois College recruit Raegen Stringer (six rebounds, four assists) led all scorers with 17 points for the Rockets. Ray tacked on five points to her first-half total, finishing with 14 points and five rebounds. Clare Meharry came off the bench and contributed double digits, contributing 10 points to the cause.
Unity's Lauren Haas and Meredith Reed finished the game with four points each. Haas, who dished out three assists, led the team on the boards with eight rebounds.
Two weeks ago, the Rockets beat the Cardinals at home in their non-conference game, 54-46.
Sophomore Delaney Garner paced the Warrensburg-Latham scoring effort with 12 points. Meanwhile, Breanna Dutcher went four-for-four from the free-throw line to finish with seven points.
Advancing to the Monticello regional title game, Unity will face Paris, who are also 19-11. The Tigers advanced after knocking off the host Sages, 42-37.
Addisyn Martinie, who shot 50% from the free-throw line, led SJO's scoring effort with 20 points. Usually working her magic from inside the paint, the senior showcased her talent, sinking three shots from outside the arc.
Stepping up in her new role as a starter, Addison Brooks dropped eight points in the first quarter and was the second-leading scorer at the intermission. The sophomore was the second leading scorer ahead of teammate Addison Frick, who hit three treys for nine points.
Timera Blackburn-Kelley and Katie Ericksen rounded out the Spartans' scoring effort with one basket each.
On Friday, Martinie & Co. look to avenge their loss to the Fightin' Irish on December 27 at the State Farm Holiday Classic. SJO dropped the tournament opener in their worst outing of the season, 50-18. Running the table in the Chicagoland Christian League, McNamara (20-6) beat regional host Clifton Central, 48-19.
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