How many times have you heard this?
It will be Northwestern vs. Warner in the district championship.
Northwestern came-from-behind to defeat Langford 49-46 on Thursday in the District 2B semifinals at the Civic Arena. The Wildcats will now face arch-rival Warner on Saturday at the Strode Center in the District 2B title game. The two schools, which are separated by only 10 miles, have played against each other several times for basketball and volleyball district titles.
"It is a great rivalry, a healthy rivalry," Northwestern coach Jason Sparling said.
Northwestern had to stage a late game comeback against Langford to setup another showdown with Warner. Langford led 14-8 after the first quarter and by as much as double digits in the second quarter. The Lions led 22-18 at the half. Northwestern sliced to deficit to 35-33 going into the fourth quarter.
Northwestern's Ashley Clemens made a field goal early in the fourth quarter. Her basket gave the Wildcats a 37-35 lead, their first lead since they scored the first basket of the contest. The lead switched hands four more times in the frantic fourth quarter. The Lions took a 46-45 lead with 39 seconds left on a pair of Sierra Bivens free throws. Eighth grader Josie Clemens then nailed two free throws to give Northwestern the lead at 47-46 with 28 seconds left. Josie Clemens then made two more free throws with :04.5 seconds left to seal the victory.
"I'm proud of this whole team," Sparling said. "Normally the wheels come off when we have a little adversity, but not this (game)."
Ashley Clemens powered the Wildcats with 18 points, four steals and four assists.
"She is our senior and wow she took the leadership role and she brought us back," Sparling said.
Josie Clemens added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Northwestern.
Kristen Erickson paced the Lions with 17 points and Nikki Amundson added 11 points. Langford finishes its season with an 8-11 record.
Northwestern improves to 9-11. The District 2B title game will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Strode Center. The second-ranked Monarchs defeated the Wildcats during both meetings this season.
LANGFORD: Sierra Bivens 0 1-3 1, Nikki Amundson 2 7-8 11, Tess Williams 2 1-2 6, Kristen Erickson 6 5-9 17, Jenae Carson 2 2-4 6, Savannah Bivens 0 1-2 1. Totals 13 17-28 46.
NORTHWESTERN: Kennedi Sparling 0 0-2 0, Jordon Peterson 1 1-2 3, Ashley Clemens 7 3-11 18, Julia Sparling 2 3-5 7, Josie Clemens 3 4-4 12, Darby Duncan 2 0-1 4, Kimberly Miles 2 0-0 5. Totals 17 11-25 49.
Langford (8-11)| 14 22 35 46
Northwestern (9-11)| 8 18 33 49
3-point field goals -- Williams, A. Clemens, J. Clemens 2, Miles. Fouled out -- Amundson, Sparling, Peterson. Total fouls -- Langford 16; Northwestern 22. Rebounds -- Langford 29 (Carson 10); Northwestern 30 (J. Clemens 10). Turnovers -- Langford 21; Northwestern 9. Officials -- Jay Kusler, Tim Steinwandt, Lucas Pearson.