Cobden to play for championship at Eldorado sectional

Trailing at the half, Cobden came on in the second half on its way to a 45-37 win over Goreville in opening round action of the Eldorado Class 1A high school girls’ sectional basketball tournament Tuesday, Feb. 16.

“We played pretty well,” Cobden coach Foster Travis said. “Especially our seniors, they didn’t want the season to end.”

The Cobden senior starters are Taylor Orsburn, Mara Hackethal and Katelyn Wiggs.

The Appleknockers trailed 22-13 at the half after falling behind 6-5 after one quarter.

Cobden fought back to   tie the game 24-24 headed into the final quarter.

The Appleknockers’ Ana Duda stole the ball and drove the length of the floor to score to put her team ahead for keeps in the last period.

The Appleknockers, who finished 19 of 29 from the free throw line, were 15 of 21 from the charity stripe in the final period.

Cobden outscored Goreville 21-13 in the final stanza.

Hackethal, who didn’t score in the first half, came on in the second half to score 12 points and 7 rebounds.

“She was huge the second half,” Foster said. “I’ve been trying to get her going, (Mara) sparked us.”

Orsburn led the way for Cobden with 13 points. Duda added 12 points and Katelyn Wiggs 7. Kayla Quertermous had a point and 6 rebounds.

Goreville finished the season at 25-3.

Cobden, 25-5, is scheduled to play Woodlawn at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, today, for the championship of the Eldorado sectional.