Kelsey Johnson (left) dribbles in the first half of Benton's 47-42 win over Helias Catholic in the Class 4 state semifinal at the Hammond Student Center on Friday. Photo by Tommy Rezac. By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSPRINGFIELD - It was unclear for about the first three quarters of Friday's Class 4 state semifinal between Benton and Helias Catholic whether any team could pull away.With the game knotted at 23-23 with 2:44 left in the third, neither team had led by more than three and there had been seven ties up to that point.Then, Benton (25-5) did something late in the third that neither team could seem to do. Score on back-to-back possessions.The Cardinals opened up an 8-0 run late in the third and into the fourth, and held on for a 47-42 win over Helias Catholic Friday, putting Benton girls' basketball back into the state title for the first time since 2016 and the third time in history."We knew we had left some things on the table," Benton head coach Chris M
SPRINGFIELD The Helias Lady Crusaders have shown time and again they can be the better of two teams in the fourth quarter.
The hole was just too deep to climb out of Friday.