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Kaneland avenges loss, headed to sectional final

Kaneland is back in the sectional finals for the first time since 2012 and only third time in the last 26 years, and the Knights can thank Morgan Weber.

Twice.

The senior guard came through with a career night when the Knights needed it most, scoring 32 points Tuesday in a 63-53 win over Rock Falls in the Class 3A Kaneland sectional semifinals.

And she was just as good on the defensive end, holding Rock Falls star Abbee Sigel to 10 points.

"I just came out to play," Weber said. "We've been really working hard and we're a family and we're trying to go really far this year."

Kaneland (23-6) will play Stillman Valley for the sectional title at 7 p.m. Thursday.

In addition to draining four 3-pointers, Weber was her usual lock down self, hounding Sigel to a scoreless first three quarters. The other main concern for the Knights was guard Olivia Babcock, and junior Jamie Martens took much of that assignment.

"We keyed in on 5 (Sigel), great player, she can hit the 3," Weber said. "Jamie and I are the key defensive players so when coach tells us to lock in, we lock in. We get our job done."

Rock Falls defeated Kaneland during the regular season, a game Weber found herself in foul trouble.

She said that turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Rock Falls turned its defensive attention to Jenni Weber and Martens on Tuesday.

"Rock Falls wasn't ready for me because I was on the bench most of the time," Weber said. "They didn't really know who I am. So I showed them."

Weber was hot from the start, scoring 20 points in the first half as Kaneland built a 28-19 halftime lead. The Knights led by as many as 16 points in the second half and were never seriously threatened.

"I know J-Web wasn't feeling good at the start of the game so I knew with her not feeling good I had to step up," Morgan Weber said.

The Knights came out fast in the third quarter with the first 7 points. Grace Ringel opened the quarter with a conventional 3-point play, Morgan Weber drove baseline for a basket, and then Weber scored again on a give-and-go with Bryanna Kigyos.

"We gave up momentum at the end of the half, we wanted to get it back," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "That was really big for our confidence as a team."

Rock Falls scored more points in the fourth quarter (28) than the first three combined (25), constantly fouling to extend the game. They got as close as 57-50 before running out of time.

Martens added 13 points and Jenni Weber had 9 as the Knights get ready for Stillman Valley (22-9), who features 6-foot-3 Arkansas-bound Macy Weaver. She had 21 points and 12 rebounds Monday in a sectional semifinal win over Sycamore.

"What a great opportunity for our kids playing for a sectional title on our home court," Colombe said. "We're right where we want to be. Morgan was sensational tonight. Senior stepping up in a big game for us."

Images: Kaneland vs. Rock Falls, girls basketball

  Kaneland's Morgan Weber shoots a three-point shot against Rock Falls in the Class 3A girls basketball sectionals semifinal game Tuesday in Maple Park. She finished the game with 31 points. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Kaneland's Linsey Turner and Rock Falls' Olivia Babcock stretch for a rebound in the Class 3A girls basketball sectionals semifinal game Tuesday in Maple Park. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Kaneland's Jenni Weber is fouled by Rock Falls' Bailey Bickett in the Class 3A girls basketball sectionals semifinal game Tuesday in Maple Park. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Kaneland's Morgan Weber leads the team off the court after defeating Rock Falls in the Class 3A girls basketball sectionals semifinal game Tuesday in Maple Park. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Kaneland's Addie Ringel and Rock Falls' Mackenzie Olson battle for a rebound in the Class 3A girls basketball sectionals semifinal game Tuesday in Maple Park. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Kaneland's Jamie Martens drives through the Rock Falls defense in the Class 3A girls basketball sectionals semifinal game Tuesday in Maple Park. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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