Timothy Christian sets up Walther rematch

As hard as she tried, Shannon McNeil couldn't shake thoughts of Walther Lutheran.

It sure didn't affect her game.

Timothy Christian's senior guard scored 18 of her season-high 20 points in the first half, guaranteeing one last crack at nemesis Walther Lutheran with a 43-27 win over Immaculate Conception in Wednesday's Class 2A Timothy Christian regional semifinal.

"I had to tell myself a lot, 'Don't think about tomorrow's game, you have to win this one first,'" McNeil said. "I had to keep saying that to the team, too."

Timothy Christian (15-10) meets Walther Lutheran, a 39-33 winner over Westmont in Wednesday's other semifinal, in today's 6 p.m. championship game. Walther Lutheran has ended Timothy Christian's season for five years running - four-year varsity starter McNeil knows it all too well.

"I really don't want to lose tomorrow to that same team," McNeil said.

McNeil must have known early it was her night. She made only three 3-pointers all season but advanced in the 3-point shootout prior to the game. Then she knocked down her first two 3-point attempts. She scored 12 points in the second quarter with the more usual variety of drives and pull-ups, ending the half with a steal and coast-to-coast score to put Timothy Christian ahead 31-17.

"Shannon responded with an absolute aggressive game," Trojans coach Ryan DeKoekkoek said. "Those 3s really helped her. That just took her confidence to another level."

Timothy Christian, which limped into the postseason on a five-game losing skid, outscored Immaculate Conception 16-4 in the second quarter and carried over a 12-0 run into the third quarter. A Meghan Leach 3-pointer and McNeil pull-up jumper made it 36-17.

Leach scored 9 points and Anneke Stremler, a third senior, 6.

"It was a tough two weeks for me. You start to doubt yourself," DeKoekkoek said. "But give credit to the girls. They have continued to come to practice and wanted to be better."

Immaculate Conception made 6 of its first 7 shot attempts in the first quarter but struggled mightily thereafter. Mary Kate Manion scored 10 points and Kaleigh Dempsey 6 for the Knights (10-18).

"Kind of a microcosm to our season," Knights coach Dan Murray said. "In flashes we look pretty good, like we have some potential. To beat a good quality program like Timothy Christian flashes aren't good enough."