Cheney’s Undefeated Year Ruined By Franklin In Semis Blackhawks Lose Guard, 17-Point Lead In Falling To 25-1

They lost their starting point guard, their backup point guard, their leading scorer and rebounder, and a 17-point lead.

Ultimately, the third-ranked Cheney Blackhawks also lost their perfect record to Franklin.

But what Cheney coach Marty Jessett will remember is how a patchwork lineup Friday - without all-everything Jenny Hoots - nearly put the Blackhawks (25-1) into the girls State AA high school basketball tournament title game.

“Obviously, it’s a question of would have, should have, but the girls in there played with a lot of heart,” Jessett said.

Franklin reserve Felicia Daniels scored 14 second-half points as the Quakers (21-5) topped Cheney 44-39 in the second semifinal at the Tacoma Dome. Cheney hadn’t lost since the final game of last year’s District 7-AA Tournament.

The Quakers advanced to today’s 6 p.m. championship against Metro League rival Blanchet (27-1). The top-ranked Braves, who have defeated Franklin twice this year, edged Enumclaw 60-56 in the other semi.

Cheney will play Enumclaw (21-4) at 2:30 for third and sixth places. The Blackhawks have never finished higher than fifth at state.

Cheney competed without freshman point guard Anna Getz, its third-leading scorer and the tournament assists leader entering the third day. Getz apparently injured the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during Thursday’s win over Chief Sealth.

“It was a huge (factor) because of all of the things we’ve done with her at point. We struggled making adjustments,” Jessett said.

Cheney’s 6-foot-3 post Hoots, who sprained her left ankle Thursday, was cleared to play. However, she hobbled up and down the court for 10 points and played less than 13 minutes because of foul trouble. She fouled out at with 2 minutes, 58 seconds left.

The Blackhawks, taking advantage of a heel injury to Franklin’s UCLA-bound Takiyah Jackson, led 25-8 with 1:51 left in the first half. Erin Soliday provided Cheney’s offensive boost, with a pair of 3-pointers and eight points in the first quarter.

Soliday nearly joined the wounded early in the second quarter when she fell backward attempting a steal and bumped her head. Although Soliday scored just three more points, Jessett said the incident didn’t affect her.

Jackson (24 ppg), held to two field goals, nonetheless started Franklin’s comeback with free throws. The Quakers had a 9-0 run from late in the second quarter until 2 minutes into the second half. At one point, they outscored Cheney 18-3. The Blackhawks didn’t make a field goal in the third quarter.

Franklin took its first lead, 30-29, on a Daniels basket early in the final quarter. During one spree, the guard scored 12 of the Quakers’ 14 points.

The lead seesawed seven times in the fourth quarter. Third-string Cheney point guard Kasey Richer made a free throw with 2:34 left, then Lisa Anderson followed with a basket for the Blackhawks’ last lead, 39-38.