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Stormee Galka and Savannah Willis each recorded a double-double in the Lady Cats’ 66 – 23 home win against Superior last Friday night.
Galka, a senior, was named Player of the Game after scoring a game-high 16 points and recording 15 of her team’s 37 steals in the game. She also contributed seven rebounds and two assists.
Willis, also a senior, scored 11 points to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds, four assists – also a game-high – and four steals against the Panthers.
Sophomore Savannah Rodriguez finished with 11 points and five steals for the No. 7 Bearcats, who have clinched a berth in what is perhaps the toughest sectional tournament across the state, regardless of division.
Four of the top-seven teams in the Division V rankings are in Section IV, including No. 2 Ft. Thomas, No. 3 San Carlos, No. 6 Duncan, and the Lady Cats. Mogollon, currently No. 10 in the rankings, would also be in the six-team tournament if it started today. The Mustangs are clinging to sixth-place in the section standings.
The Section IV Tournament will take place at Thatcher High School, beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The top two teams will get a first-round bye.
As of now, the Lady Cats are projected to remain the fourth-seed and will face either San Manuel or Mogollon in the opening round.
Upcoming schedule: Feb. 5 vs. Gilbert Classical Academy. Both games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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