ST. CHARLES • Patrick Dougherty held the saccharine.
After a season-ending loss, the cliches and platitudes that are espoused by the defeated can be reflective and hopeful. Cheery visions for better days ahead.
Dougherty kept it real.
“We have nine seniors, we don't take anything out of this,” the McCluer North girls basketball coach said. “It's just disappointment.”
St. Joseph's rallied past McCluer North in the fourth quarter for a 56-51 win in a Class 5 sectional Wednesday at Hyland Arena on the campus of Lindenwood University.
The No. 6 large school, St. Joseph's (19-8) advanced to play Jackson (22-6) in a quarterfinal at 7:45 p.m. Saturday at Hyland Arena.
It was the third consecutive season St. Joseph's and McCluer North met in a do-or-die game. The first two were for a district championship. The Stars won the first one. The Angels have taken the last two.
“We know them, they know us and it's who shows up to play,” St. Joseph's senior post Kelly McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin did her part as he scored a game-high 19 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked three shots. She hit nine of her 10 free throws. The 6-foot-3 McLaughlin was in the middle of everything the Angels did to survive. They hammered the smaller Stars on the glass for a 45-24 rebounding advantage. They went 22 of 31 at the free throw line. McCluer North was 6 of 10.
Class 5 sectional: St. Joseph's vs. McCluer North
Randy Kemp
St. Joseph's Erika Pudlowski drives to the paint guarded by McCluer North's Kortni Collins (1) during a Class 5 sectional girls basketball game on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Randy Kemp | Special to STLhighschoolsports.com
Randy Kemp
St. Joseph's Alex Kerr (right) takes a shot defended by McCluer North's Ymahni Jones (left) during a Class 5 sectional girls basketball game on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Randy Kemp | Special to STLhighschoolsports.com
Randy Kemp
McCluer North head coach Patrick Dougherty directs his players during a Class 5 sectional girls basketball game on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Randy Kemp | Special to STLhighschoolsports.com
Randy Kemp
St. Joseph's Mary LaBelle brings the ball up the floor during a Class 5 sectional girls basketball game on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Randy Kemp | Special to STLhighschoolsports.com
Randy Kemp
McCluer North's Eriyanna Simmons (11) blocks the shot attempt of St. Joseph's Kelly McLaughlin (54) during a Class 5 sectional girls basketball game on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Randy Kemp | Special to STLhighschoolsports.com
Randy Kemp
St. Joseph's Annie Lally (25) dirbbles while defended by McCluer North's Kortni Collins (1) during a Class 5 sectional girls basketball game on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Randy Kemp | Special to STLhighschoolsports.com
Randy Kemp
St. Joseph's Kelly McLaughlin spins the ball preparing for a free throw during a Class 5 sectional girls basketball game on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Randy Kemp | Special to STLhighschoolsports.com
