“Clutch” Shooting Sends City to State Championship Game

City beat Johnston 58-52 punching their ticket to the 2018 state title game

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Lindy Rublaitus

Joens went 8-12 in the victory to score 24 points and break the state tournament scoring record .

That was close.

For a team that has dominated competition all season long, City High Girls Basketball’s six point victory over Johnston was their toughest test to date.

It was an up and down first half for the Little Hawks, who started off with a lead, but at one point trailed by as much as nine. Still, City went on an 11 point run to end the first half that made the score 30-28 Johnston at the half.

A quick third quarter start gave the Little Hawks a small lead, which they held for most of the second half. Still, the Dragons were able to hang around and a free throw tied the score with two minutes left to play.

Ashley Joens then came up big for City down the stretch, sinking a bucket and grabbing the lead for the Little Hawks. City then got a stop, forcing Johnston to foul.

From that point on the Little Hawks made nine of ten free throws, sealing up the 58-52 victory and punching their ticket to the 2018 state title game tomorrow, where they will play West High.

Ashley Joens led scoring and broke the state tournament scoring record.