Photos by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Cardinal Newman's Molly Rainwater is guarded by Hammond's Lauren Smith. Elaine Epting had 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Hammond Lady Skyhawks into the finals of the SCISA Region II-AAA basketball tournament with a 42- 28 win over the Lady Cardinals of Cardinal Newman on Monday, February 18.

Epting, a towering freshman, made her presence known right away, scoring six of Hammond's first 10 points and grabbing three early rebounds. She finished 6- of- 10 from the field in the game, and Hammond's pressure defense kept the Lady Cardinals at bay. Senior Lauren Smith and junior Mason Castles scored eight points each for the second- seeded Lady Skyhawks.

Cardinal Newman could get no offense going, scoring no more than eight points in any quarter. Molly Rainwater scored a teamhigh eight points for the third- seeded Lady Cardinals, who shot 13- of- 42 from the field. Cardinal Newman got no closer than two points the entire game, as they looked out of sync against a more aggressive Hammond team.

The Lady Skyhawks moved into the championship game the following evening against top- seeded Heathwood Hall, a 60- 39 victor over Ben Lippen. The Lady Cardinals now await their seeding in the SCISA state tournament.