Carmel sophomore guard Anna Hartman accidentally sent a message to St. Viator star Joy Bergstrom late in their game Tuesday.
With the Corsairs clinging to a slim lead, Hartman bumped into Bergstrom while attempting to box her out on a free-throw attempt.
That prompted a referee to walk over to Hartman before Bergstrom, a South Dakota recruit and St. Viator’s all-time leading scorer, shot her second free throw.
“(The referee) told me to watch the free-throw line,” Hartman said. “I was like, ‘It’s my bad.'”
But Hartman’s physical defense helped set the tone for top-seeded Carmel’s 49-43 win against the fourth-seeded Lions in a Class 3A Grayslake Central Sectional semifinal on Tuesday.
The Corsairs (24-7) advance to play second-seeded Deerfield (26-5), which defeated third-seeded Prairie Ridge 68-36 in the other semifinal, in the sectional championship game at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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Freshman guard Aubrey Galvan scored 20 points to lead Deerfield, which set up an intriguing next game for the guard-oriented team.
“It will be a different type of matchup than we’ve had all season with their big girls, but it will be fun,” Deerfield coach Nicole Keith said of Carmel. “We’ll be ready for it.”
In Carmel’s win, junior guard Jordan Wood, a Michigan State recruit, scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds to offset Bergstrom’s 29 points. The 6-foot-5 Wood scored five points in a row in a pivotal 11-0 run in the second quarter that changed the complexion of the game.
Carmel senior center Grace Sullivan, a Bucknell recruit, added six points and nine rebounds, and junior forward Mia Gillis had seven points.
The Lions (20-13) couldn’t match up with Carmel’s height and physical play on the boards.
Wood said she relished beating “a rival for the third time this season,” noting the defense by Hartman, a standout soccer player, contributed to the win.
“She was great,” Wood said. “Her soccer feet allow her to move so quickly on the court from the left side to the right side. She did a great job helping me out too.”
Hartman’s contribution won’t be judged by her scoring. She attempted just two shots, hitting a 3-pointer to open up Carmel’s scoring in the early minutes of the game, and finished with four points. But her tenacity and on-ball defense on Bergstrom were essential in the win.
“She’s a great player, and you can’t completely stop that type of player,” Hartman said of Bergstrom. “You have to keep on her shots all the time. She has all those little moves, and I tried not to fall for them. I just kept my hands up. My coaches always preach that in practice, or we’ll have to run.”
Hartman fought through numerous screens, but Bergstrom showed why she’s an elite scorer by hitting shots from all angles.
“Anna is our best on-ball defender,” Carmel coach Ben Berg said. “She’s tough and competitive and never afraid of the moment. She’s an elite soccer player, so playing at that kind of level helps her. She’s a tough kid and likes to play at that (high) level.”
Two years ago, Hartman was all set to begin her career at Vernon Hills. She changed course due to the coronavirus pandemic and became a key player for Carmel in two sports. She also plays club soccer.
Hartman wouldn’t mind delaying her high school soccer season a few more weeks if the Corsairs are able to win a 3A state title.
“In basketball season, I definitely prioritize basketball, but I still go to soccer practice later,” Hartman said. “I would say I’m a decent amount better in soccer than basketball.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.