Johnstown beats Valley, advances to district final

• Kerrigan Williams made three 3-pointers in each of the first two quarters.

HEBRON – Kerrigan Williams came to the bench before Johnstown's final possession of the first half Wednesday.

Williams had earned herself a break; she already had done plenty for the Johnnies.

Johnstown in recent weeks has provided help to star Paige Cannon, and it was Williams' turn to step up. She had 27 points, including eight 3-pointers, in the Johnnies' 66-37 victory against Licking Valley in a Division II district semifinal at Lakewood.

"It takes a few to make (me) realize I'm on fire (Wednesday)," said Williams, who made three 3s in each of the first two quarters. "When Paige gets the ball, I know I have to be open because she is either going to shoot it or dish it to someone. Hopefully, it's me."

Johnstown (21-4) plays Bishop Hartley at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Westerville Central. The Johnnies will be playing in their fourth consecutive district final, winning a Division III title in 2013.

Williams has struggled with her shot at times during the season. She had 34 3s in her first 22 games before catching fire against Valley (15-8), which packed its zone in the paint around Cannon.

"Cannon had a career-night the first time, and the second time we played them pretty good," said Valley coach Duane Wood, whose team allowed 43 points to Cannon in the team's first of three meetings this season.

"You have to give Kerrigan credit. That's a career night. We weren't supposed to leave her that open, but she took advantage of what the kids gave her."

When the Panthers were able to close out on Williams, they fouled her. In addition to her eight 3s, she made all three of her foul shots after one first-half attempt.

"If somebody is open and she is hot, give her the ball," senior Adeline Almendinger said. "She was on fire. She had a game (Wednesday) where she was hitting them hard."

Valley was hoping to return to the district finals for the third time in four seasons, but the Panthers have been playing shorthanded since early January. Seniors Sierra McConnell and Kori Caughenbaugh returned from knee injuries about three weeks ago, but they clearly were limited.

Each scored five points, but McConnell left late in the first half and did not return.

"They don't have anything to hang their heads over with what we went through: four torn ACLs, a torn labrum, a broken hand," Wood said. "You name it, we had it. It stinks and is unfortunate."

The night belonged to Williams from the start as her third 3 put the Johnnies up 15-5, and Cannon's jumper before the first-quarter buzzer made it 17-7. The Johnnies scored the first seven points on the second quarter, and Valley never was closer than 17 in the second half.

"(Williams) is always at practice working at it and is never satisfied with herself," Johnstown coach Carl Dufford said. "It is just one of those things where she never gives up. If she is off for the night, she still is going to play her great defense. She is just a great kid to have on your team."

Cannon added 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Mallory Henson scored all 10 of her points in the fourth quarter. The Johnnies shot 52 percent from the field and and had a 33-17 rebounding edge.

Katie McArtor, one of five seniors, led Valley with 12 points.

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @newarkurt