Janesville Girls Win First Ever State Basketball Tournament Game

Fresh off a state title in volleyball, Janesville is now one step from another championship round.   Victoria Leyh scored 14 points and No. 2 Janesville pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Rockford 58-46 in a first-round Class 1A game.

This is the first state basketball appearance for Janesville, which takes a 24-1 record into a Thursday morning semifinal game.

Britney Hanson added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats, while Mary Hovenga provided a nice lift off the bench with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Several of the Janesville players were on the state championship volleyball team, with Hanson, Kendyl Sorge and Sylvia Amlie earning all-tournament honors. Sorge finished with seven points, six assists and two steals in Monday's game, while Amlie scored six points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Rockford made it to state for the first time in the five-player era. Madison Wood led the Lady Warriors with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Rachael Enabit added eight points and Emma Staudt seven for Rockford, which finishes 17-8.

Rockford stayed close for much of the game and it was 28-all early in the third quarter after Staudt converted a three-point play.

Janesville then ran off the next nine points and never trailed again. Leading 39-32 after three quarters, Janesville opened the final period with a 9-1 run to put it out of reach.

Rockford got the lead down to eight with a minute to play before Janesville sank six of eight free throws stay in control.

Story By: IGHSAU