GBB SECT. 23: Host Leo needs comeback to dump Dwenger, 48-45

LEO – With six lead changes in the final 6:02, host Leo’s Lions clawed their way to a 48-45 Class 3A Sectional 23 victory Feb. 11 over Fort Wayne Dwenger. 

Upstart Dwenger (3-17) jumped out to a 7-2 lead and finished the first quarter with a 13-9 advantage. The Saints maintained their control during the second quarter, outscoring the Lions 15-12 to take a 28-21 lead into halftime.

Leo coach Carrie Shappell had her girls come out in a half-court press to begin the second half. 

“It wasn’t an attempt to speed up the game,” said the fifth-year coach. “It was more to try to identify something that may work. Their half-court defense was forcing us into too many turnovers.”

Shappell’s gamble paid off.

Leo ended up with 18 turnovers, the majority of them in the first half. But the Lions also ended up forcing the Saints into 18 for the game as well, the majority of them in the second half. 

Leo (17-5) finally took its first lead at 38-36 at that fateful 6:02 mark of the final quarter. There were five lead changes from that point until Leo’s Alexis Meeks drained a 3-pointer from the left baseline to give Leo a three-point cushion at 46-43. 

On the ensuing possession, Leo’s Taylor Howe fouled Dwenger’s Andrea Filler as she drove the lane. Filler drained both free throws to make is 46-45 with 56 seconds left. After a quick timeout by 28th-year Dwenger coach Dave Scudder, the Saints went into a full-court press. 

Leo had little trouble getting the ball up the court, and senior Jill Peck found Meeks with a beautiful pass for a layup that sealed Leo’s 48-45 come-from-behind win. 

Meeks had a double-double to lead the Lions with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Peck chipped in the 15 points, and Hannah Field added nine. Dwenger was led by senior Amanda McKenna with 18 points, three assists, and six steals. Filler added 10 for the Saints.

Leo advances to a Saturday semifinal against the Harding Hawks (7-13). Because of all the snow this week, the championship game has been moved to Monday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Game 1 – Leo 48, Fort Wayne Dwenger 45

Game 2 – Heritage vs. Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran. PPD FRI 6p

Game 3 – New Haven vs. Angola. PPD FRI to follow

Game 4 – Harding vs. Leo. PPD SAT 6p

Game 5 – Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 3. PPD SAT to follow

Championship – Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5. PPD MON 7:30p