Villisca advances to semis with win over Nishnabotna

SIDNEY—The Villisca Blue Jays won their quarterfinal game against Nishnabotna Monday night, 53-20.

They won last Friday against the Essex Trojans, 55-31.

The Trojannettes managed only 10 points in the first half, while Villisca posted 35. Essex played tougher in the second half, but were unable to overcome their deficit.

Focht was the leading scorer for the Blue Jays with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and one rebound shy of a double-double.

Jill Vanderhoof did finish with a double-double as she scored 10 and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Villisca out-rebounded Essex 41-23 and stole the ball from the Trojanettes 16 times.

Seana Perkins led Essex in scoring with 19 points on 7-of-19 shooting, four of those shots made came from beyond the three-point line.

It was Villisca’s third straight win and Essex’s fourth straight loss.

With Villisca’s win Monday night, they’ll be in Stanton for the semifinals Wednesday to face Sidney.