Pontiac girls overwhelm Herscher on Senior Night

By Erich Murphy

Bingo Magic Sports

Pontiac’s girls’ basketball senior members combined for 42 points in leading the Indians to a 65-34 victory over Herscher Thursday.

It was Senior Night and Morgan Dewald, Jo Duck, Grace Lanning and Trinity Miller were recognized before the game.

PTHS head coach Brad Harmon started the quartet in their final regular-season game, and they were able to lead the way from the start. They combined for 12 of the Tribe’s 19 points in the first quarter. All four scored in the third period, as well. Collectively, they tallied 11 of the 17 points PTHS put up in that period.

When it was all over, Miller led the group with 16 points and Lanning added 12. Dewald chalked up 8 markers and Duck checked in with 6 points for a combined 42 points, more than what Herscher was able to notch.

Pontiac was able to take control early with its 19-6 lead after the opening lap. Balance favored the Indians all night as the scoring was distributed among eight players. This allowed the Tribe to build a 36-18 lead by halftime and a 53-26 edge through three periods.

Celi Serna was the one regular starter who came in off the bench. The sophomore floor general still managed 10 points for the Indians (19-11). Classmate Bailee Branscum connected for 9 points while Casey Taylor and Anna Gall scored 2 points apiece.

Pippa Dunnill hit five 3-pointers to pace Herscher (8-20) with 15 points.

Pontiac will be looking to play at least one more game at home this season, but it will take a regional championship. The Indians open Class 2A regional play as the top seed at Prairie Central on Feb. 16 against the winner of Saturday’s St. Thomas More vs. Paxton-Buckley-Loda game. PTHS will be hosting the sectional Feb. 24 and 26.

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