Ryan Roddy
Section618.com

HERRIN — The No. 4 seed Centralia Annies gave top-seeded Mattoon quite a battle Friday night in the Herrin 3A Regional championship game, but the Green Wave won the game 56-48.

The Annies put three players in double figures, led by sophomore Kalei Edson’s 14 points. Senior Rylee Edson had 10, as did sophomore JaLea Sherred. Mattoon only had one player reach double figures, but she had 32 of the Green Wave’s 56 points. That would be Loyola University recruit, senior Mallory Ramage.

The Annies got off to a good start with five different players scoring in the first quarter, but a tough second quarter for Centralia helped Mattoon to take a 34-25 lead at the half. Centralia played hard until the end outscoring Mattoon 12-10 in the 4th quarter, but it wasn’t enough against Ramage and the Green Wave.

Centralia finishes the season 21-8. Mattoon advances to the Civic Memorial Sectional in Bethalto, where they’ll play Triad Tuesday night. The Lady Knights stormed backed from 12 down at the half to Waterloo to win the Triad Regional in overtime, 55-53.