CHRISTOPHER — Almost exactly a year to the day after falling to Goreville in the sectional championship at Sesser-Valier, the Christopher Lady Bearcats found a way to finish the job, beating Edwards County 58-43 to capture the program’s first sectional title and earn a spot in the 1A Elite Eight.

The Lady Bearcats used two decisive second half runs to pull away from the Lions. Tied at 29, Christopher turned three steals into three baskets by Amiah Hargrove. Add in a couple of free throws from Jessica Gordon, and the Lady Bearcats had a 37-29 lead.

After Lexi McKinney scored four straight for Edwards County to cut Christopher’s lead in half, Hargrove buried a jumper just before the buzzer to give the Lady Bearcats a 39-33 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Then leading by six midway through the fourth, Christopher put it way by scoring 10 straight points, eventually setting off a celebration in front of the home crowd.

Hargrove scored 23 of her game high 30 points in the second half. Gordon was 9-10 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, 13-16 for the game, finishing with 18 points.

Freshman Grace Bishop led Edwards County with 17 points. The future is certainly bright for the Lions who finished the season 30-4. They will return all but two seniors next year.

This season continues for the 29-3 Lady Bearcats, who advance to the Effingham St. Anthony Supersectional, where they will face Neoga Monday night at 7:00. The winner will earn a trip to Redbird Arena in Normal for the 1A state semifinals.