Brooks Middle School Advances to 7th Grade Girls Basketball Sectional

Brooks Middle School exploded for 26 points in the third quarter enroute to a 40-29 7th grade girls basketball regional final victory over Martinez Middle School Tuesday.

The Bulldogs (13-5) advance to the Homer sectional final at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 against either Summit Hill (Frankfort) or Mokena Junior High.

Brooks forced 17 Vikings turnovers in that amazing third quarter converting a 31-7 run into a 36-24 lead that they never relinquished. Francesca Aniceto and April Lowery each grabbed three steals and Tsimba Malonga scored 11 of her game high 16 points in the period.

Martinez (13-6) got off to a quick start playing tough defense and holding Brooks to just two shots in the first three minutes of the game. Maddie Massaro (7 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) hit a hoop, assisted on a basket by Jahari Smith (8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals) and added a put back to make it 8-1 before the Bulldogs scored twice in the final seconds of the first quarter.

Brittany Osborne (8 points) helped the Vikings score the first 9 points of the second quarter with a pair of layups, two free throws and an assist on Smith’s layup. But a layup by Auriel Sanders (6 points) on a nifty pass by Lowery with 1:30 left in the half got Brooks going on its big run.

Nzuzi Malonga gathered in 6 rebounds and scored 8 points for the Bulldogs, Aniceto added 7 points and 8 steals, Lowery had 5 steals and scored a point, and Hannah Smith hit a hoop.

Sydney Murphy had 6 points and 6 rebounds for Martinez, Haley Conners grabbed 5 rebounds and had a pair of steals, and Idara Amyang hauled in 3 rebounds and had an assist.

Other Brooks players on the squad include Marissa Manning, Taylor Robinson, Anna Faveron, Sophia Plummer, Maya Harmon and Joyce Tipe.

They are coached by Amy Kehr with assistance from Alan Hampton.

Editor's note: This is a press release from Valley View School District 365U. 

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