Ider jumped out to a 13-0 lead and rolled to a 69-32 win over Luverne in the Class 2A girls semifinal at Legacy Arena in Birmingham on Monday night.
“We played well tonight,” Ider coach Jamie Pruett said. “We have been playing good for the last few games. Tonight, our girls made that extra pass and we hit some good shots.”
The seventh-ranked Hornets (21-11), who last played in a state championship game in 1985, advance to play Mars Hill Bible in the title game on Friday morning. Ider won that championship in 1985.
“We really care about each other,” Ider guard Addisyn Heard said. “We know that we have a challenge ahead us.”
Luverne made history by reaching the final four for the first time and made the game’s opening basket only to have it waived off due to a charge.
“That took some of the air out of us,” Luverne coach Richard Dorsey said. “We had a great season by winning 20 straight games. We are young with only senior and expect to be back here.”
The Tigers (26-5) were led by Mikayla Melton’s 12 points.
Ider had 10 players score in the game with Aubree Chapman’s 12 points leading the way. Makinley Traylor and Heard added 10 points each.
Star of the game: Traylor scored 10 points, had 6 assists and grabbed 3 rebounds in 22 minutes for the Hornets.
Stat of the game: Ider hit 16-of-38 from 3-point range.
By the numbers: Luverne turned the ball over 25 times and only attempted 35 field goals in the game. Meanwhile, Ider shot 38 3-pointers. The Tigers outrebounded Ider 32-26. The winners scored 24 point off Luverne’s turnovers. Ider had 10 turnovers that resulted in 10 points for Luverne.
Did you know? One of Luverne’s Nikayla Melton’s cousins is Dante Hall, a former All-Pro wide receiver/kick return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs and then-St. Louis Rams.
Coachspeak: “I preach about us being family. I believe we showed that tonight. My dad, who is an old school coach, doesn’t like when we shoot 3-pointers. I hope he sees why tonight.” – Ider coach Jamie Pruett
“We had a great season. In four years, we have gone from the bottom of our area to the final four. Zyan Peterson, who has over 900 career rebounds, is our only senior. We learned a lot from this experience.” – Luverne coach Richard Dorsey
Next up: Ider takes on defending champ Mars Hill Bible in girl’s Class 2A finals on Friday at 9 a.m.