By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After a first half where nobody could break loose offensively, it stood to reason that whomever could find its shot in the second half of the Class 5A state semifinal clash between Hahnville and Chapelle would be moving on to its first state championship game.

In the end, the Chipmunks did just that on Monday night and then some. Chapelle outscored Hahnville 41-25 in the second half to clinch its first ever trip to the finals of the Ladies Top 28 tournament, winning 56-39 over the Tigers at the SLU Center in Hammond.

 “I think the reason they were able to pull away was simply that that executed,” said Hahnville Coach Kevin Robicheaux. “They limited us to zero points in transition, and in turn they made the most of their own opportunities there. Anytime you get easy baskets, you tend to relax and everything comes easier.”

“We were trying to make school history by making it there and maybe winning one more. But by no means was this a bad season for us,” said Robicheaux. “Looking back, I think we’ll reflect and see it as a truly special season for Lady Tigers basketball.”

Olivia Grayson led the Chipmunk charge with 16 points on 50% shooting, to go along with 13 rebounds.

Chapelle (30-7), the champions of District 10-5A, now advance to face off with Southwood, which has won four state titles in the past six seasons. Southwood defeated West Monroe 48-29 in the semifinal round. The game will take place on Friday night at 6:30.  

Southwood (29-1) has won 20 consecutive games on its way to the final.

The Chapelle win ends a Tigers (28-9) run that was one of the strongest in school history. After a late January loss at East St. John, the senior-driven Tigers recovered to win seven straight games to get to the semifinals, including playoff victories over Lafayette (18-10), Pineville (28-5), and Natchitoches Central (28-5).

Nadia Cox led Hahnville with 18 points on 50% shooting. Missy Scrubbs added nine. Latrice Samuel added five.

Danielle Douglas led the Tigers in rebounding with five, and Sarah Carr led them in assists with five.

Chapelle clung to a slim 15-14 lead at halftime, but quickly found its offense by scoring 22 in the third quarter to Hahnville’s 15.

The Chipmunks would never trail from there. Chapelle outscored Hahnville 19-10 in the final quarter to secure its 17-point victory margin.

Grayson in particular did the damage, getting to the line time and time again, making eight of her game high 12 free throw attempts.

Hahnville shot 31% from the field, to Chapelle’s 43%. The Chipmunks hit 4-of-9 3-point attempts (two by AliRae Sheppard, two by Carr), to Hahnville’s 3-of-8 (two by Cox, one by Scrubbs).

Sheppard and Carr each scored 10 for the Chipmunks.