Feb. 27--Ren'cia Rolling's first 3-pointer Friday hit nothing but air.
Brittany Hardeman's second field-goal attempt hit the backboard, but not the rim. Two possessions later, Hardeman's 4-footer banged off the side of the backboard.
Seton's second trip to state will be its last -- the school is closing due to low enrollment and financial difficulties -- and the Sting will have to settle for a shot at third place.
Hardin Calhoun capitalized on Seton's game-long shooting woes as cousins Emma and Grace Baalman combined for 36 points and 33 rebounds to carry the Warriors to a 58-42 win against Seton in a Class 1A state semifinal at Redbird Arena in Normal.
Calhoun (31-2) won its 18th straight game to set up a rematch of last season's title game against defending champion Moweaqua Central A at 1:45 p.m. Saturday.
The Sting shot 23.4 percent from the field (15-for-64), including 7-for-27 on 3-pointers, and were outrebounded 57-31. Rolling led the Sting with 13 points, and Danielle Bailey had 11.
"We were a little nervous, and they (our shots) weren't falling in the beginning," Bailey said.
The Sting (25-7) dealt with nerves from their first trip to state since 1998, the pressure of winning a state title in the school's final season and the Warriors' tall frontcourt of 6-foot senior Kassidy Klocke, 6-1 senior forward Emma Baalman and 6-3 junior forward Grace Baalman. Klocke finished with 10 points and six boards.
"Their big girls were more fundamentally sound than what we thought they would be," Seton coach Kevin Green said.
Seton's shooting problems spoiled any chance at a comeback. The Sting missed their first eight shots and shot 7-for-29 in the first half.
Early in the third quarter, the Sting had more shots that were either blocked or were airballs (11) than made baskets (nine). The Warriors blocked six shots.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Emma Baalman, Hardin Calhoun, 18 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocked shots.
Key performers: Hardin Calhoun -- Grace Baalman, 18 points, 16 rebounds; Kassidy Klocke, 10 points, 6 rebounds. Seton -- Ren'cia Rolling, 13 points, 6 rebounds; Danielle Bailey, 11 points, 5 rebounds.
