CARTERVILLE (WSIL) -- The Carterville girls basketball team knocked off Nashville 54-42 to win a class 2A sectional title.
"It's crazy because girls basketball has never won a sectional here," Carterville senior Abbey Crain said.
"It's a first and we keep making history with this team and I hope we keep doing it. It's just a rush of emotions right now."
Carterville led 38-28 heading to the 4th quarter and senior Megan Barton made a couple of key passes to expand the lead. She found a wide open Natalie Vanderzille alone by the basket and dished a perfect pass to Alecia Doyle underneath the hoop.
In the closing minutes Doyle scored a layup, giving her a game high seventeen points. Immediately Carterville Head Coach Matt Crain swung his fists in the air. Raw emotion. He knew his team won.
"Can hardly talk," were Coach Crain's first words following victory.
"Those senior have given so much and I've been on them for a long time. And the whole team stepped up tonight and played their tails off."
"I'm just speechless. I'm so proud of them."
"It's pretty special," Carterville senior Jeniah Thompson said.
"When I got put out of the game, I cried a little bit, kind of in shock but definitely happy, ready for the next round."
In the next round, Carterville will face Teutopolis on Monday at 7 o'clock from the Mcleansboro Super Sectional at Hamilton County High School.
The Teutopolis Lady Shoes upset 34-0 Paris 43-29 at the Class 2A Paris Sectional Championship.
In Class 1A Sectional Final from Wayne City, Goreville's season comes to an end.
The Blackcats fall to Okawville 38-29.
