Harrisburg girls hold off rally by Hamilton County; play in title game tonight

Harrisburg used a third quarter run to outscore Hamilton County 15-9 to help propel the Bulldogs to a 63-56 win over Hamilton County Thursday night at the Rangerette Classic at Benton High School.

The win puts Harrisburg in the title game, where they will square off with Carterville in tonight's championship game.

The Bulldogs were led by a pair of double-double performances from Matty Hawkins and Karsyn Davis. Hawkins scored a game-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting and went 6-for-7 at the foul line, while grabbing 10 rebounds (seven on the defensive end) and finished with four blocks.

Karsyn Davis chipped in with 16 points and pulled down 10 boards (nine of the defensive end) to go with three blocks and two assists.

Two other Bulldogs, Jessica Hopson and Lotte Miller also finished in double figures as Hopson tacked on 12 points, while Miller finished with 11 points.

Lydia Miller had three points for Harrisburg, while Madeline Rider tossed in a free throw.

Harrisburg shot 17-for-39 in the game for 43 percent and were 5-of-12 from behind the arc as Hopson and Davis each had a pair. Lotte Miller had the other 3-ball. Harrisburg closed out its night going 24-for-33 from the foul stripe for 72 percent.

Harrisburg had Hamilton County down 55-40 with 6:21 to play and despite the rally by the Foxes, Bulldogs head coach Jake Stewart said it was good for his team to be tested like that.

"We reacted crazy and I think a lot of that has to do with this team just not used to having the pressure them to maintain composure and the pressure to just win, but we pulled through and I;m really happy with the group."

Harrisburg out rebounded Hamilton County (14-2) 29-19, while the Bulldogs finished with 10 assists, nine blocks, two steals and 11 turnovers.