Essex’s season derailed in CC title game
SIDNEY – The Sidney Cowgirls made history in more than one way Friday night.
With a 35-31 win over Essex, Sidney claimed its first Corner Conference Tournament Championship while handing the Trojanettes their first loss on the season.
Both teams struggled to put up any points early in the game, which remained scoreless most of the first quarter. By the end of the first eight minutes, Sidney held a slim 4-2 lead, which they managed to stretch to 15-12 by halftime.
Essex, which previously beat Sidney 42-30 this year, took the lead several times in the second half but could never build on it. Sidney would outscore Essex 20-19 in the last two quarters to win the game.
Sidney Junior Maryn Phillips came off the bench to score 14 points to lead all scorers. Lexy Larsen added nine in the win.
Daiton Martin scored nine for Essex to lead the Trojanettes. Sayj Martin had a good game on both ends of the court with six points, six rebounds and seven steals before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Essex qualified for the championship game with a close 51-44 win over Nishnabotna in the semifinals.
After leading 9-8 in the first quarter, Essex fell behind 20-17 at halftime.
The Trojanettes rallied out of the locker room though with a 25-12 run, nearly matching their point production from the other three quarters combined (26).
Sayj Martin came off the bench and led Essex with a double-double, scoring 15 points and coming away with 12 rebounds. Jescina Mosley added 11 points and nine boards while Daiton Martin scored six points and dished out 12 of Essex’s 17 assists.
Katy Hackworth scored 12 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead Nishnabotna. Kennedy Hughes added 10 points and four assists while Kenna Voyles recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.
In their first round game, Essex rolled over Heartland Christian 71-7.
The Trojanettes led 23-2 after the first quarter and 43-4 at halftime.
Mosley scored 21 and Sayj Martin added 16 in the win. Peyton Brammer and Devan Gray each added 10.
Essex (12-1) has a busy week ahead, playing Creston, Tarkio and Stanton at home Monday, Tuesday and Thursday night, before traveling to College Springs to take on South Page Friday.