Feb. 28--Emma Baalman recalled a practice drill to help overcome the stress of two crucial free throws in overtime of Saturday's Class 1A state championship.
The Hardin Calhoun senior forward had missed the front end of one-on-one free throws on consecutive possessions in the final seconds of regulation against Moweaqua Central A
Baalman buried the winning free throws with 25.3 seconds left in OT to propel Calhoun to a 60-56 win at Redbird Arena in Normal. It was a rematch of last year's final, won by Central A 51-41.
"We have practiced yelling at each other shooting free throws to help with crowd noise," Baalman said, "and on those last two free throws, I just pictured our manager, Luke Long, standing next to me and yelling in my face. I knew I had to shake off those earlier (misses), and just breathe."
The 6-foot-1 Baalman was held to six points and four rebounds -- well under her averages of 14.4 points and 17.9 rebounds -- but her final two points handed the Warriors (32-2) a 58-56 lead on the way to their first girls basketball state titlein the first title-game overtime in 1A history.
Emma Baalman's cousin, Grace Baalman, sealed the win by swishing a pair of free throws with 6.9 seconds left. Grace Baalman, a 6-3 junior center, scored six of her 17 points in overtime. The Baalmans also led Calhoun to the 1A softball state title in 2015.
Kassidy Klocke tallied 17 points and nine rebounds, and Sydney White added 11 points for Calhoun. Emma Meyers (17 points) and Mikah Maples (16 points) paced the Raiders (32-2).
"I couldn't be more prouder for our program and community," Calhoun coach Aaron Baalman said. "To get back to state is extremely hard. Both teams made it back and that says a lot about both teams, but it was definitely nicer to come back on top."
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Kassidy Klocke, Calhoun, 17 points, 9 rebounds.
Key performers: Calhoun -- Grace Baalman, 17 points, 5 rebounds; Sydney White, 11 points. Central A -- Emma Meyer, 17 points, 5 rebounds; Mikah Maples, 16 points, 8 rebounds.
