The Bellmont Braves held McKenna Layden in check for 17 minutes, keeping her to just five points, but by the end of the night, it was Layden who had led her Tigers to a sectional final against the host Norwell Knights with a 29-point performance in a 50-44 barnburner.
Overcoming a 14-point deficit in the second half, Northwestern booked their spot in the championship game for a chance at a sixth sectional title in seven years.Â
Northwestern was slow out of the gate and awkward on offense, waiting on Layden to start every play and provide the offense. For Bellmont it was the exact opposite with six different players scoring in the opening quarter. The Braves defense frustrated Layden, who was held scoreless in the first eight minutes as Bellmont jumped out to an impressive 13-2 lead.
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