Andover continues dream season, knocks off Emporia for first semifinal berth since 1996

EMPORIA, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - 27 years ago was the last time we saw Andover reach a basketball semifinal round. Then it was Susan Woolf, one of the most prolific scorers in state history, that led the Trojans to back to back appearances in the state title game.

Now it is Brooke Walker, a junior well on her way to etching her name in the record books, that has a chance to lead Andover to the same, if not more.

The Trojans got past an Emporia team playing a de facto home game 58-48 Wednesday night to clinch their first berth in the final four since that 1996 team, with Walker posting 26 points in the win.

The junior had 7 each in the first two quarters, with Andover pushing to lead by as much as 11, 24-13. Emporia however hung around, tying it late in the second quarter on a 13-2 run before the Trojans took a two point advantage to the break.

The Trojans got their lead back up to six but again the Spartans came back on them, forcing another tie late in the third. The game went back and forth until Walker, in a 46-45 game, connected on her second triple of the game to get the advantage to two possessions at the 3:30 mark. The Spartans were unable to answer, and Andover pulled away at the foul stripe to win by double figures.

Beyond Walker’s 26 point showing, Alana Shetlar and Amelya Vance each tacked on 9 points to lead the Trojans to a win and a date with 2 seed Bishop Carroll.

Spartan senior Rebecca Snyder led the way with 18 for Emporia sees their season end with an 18-4 mark.

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