Cobert operation: Sophomore scores 20 points to sink Marcos

ERIE – Erie sophomore Courtney Cobert was a scoring machine in the second half Tuesday.

Cobert led the Cardinals to a 57-34 Class 1A Erie Regional girls basketball win over the Polo Marcos at Erie High School, pouring in 16 of her game-high 20 points in the second half.

“I was feeling my shot tonight ... finally,” said Cobert, who hit three 3-pointers. “Usually I’m more of a post inside. I don’t get that many looks outside.”

Erie (12-16) advanced to a regional championship showdown with rival Prophetstown at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Erie. The teams split two regular-season matchups.

“I’m a little nervous. They’re probably our best rival,” Cobert said of facing the Prophets again. “They’re our most even competition. The first time we played them we lost it in the fourth quarter. The second time we beat them by two. I think that picked it up for us.”

On Tuesday, the teams played to a 9-all tie after one quarter. The Cardinals took control in the second, outscoring Polo (11-16) 13-2 to build a 22-11 halftime advantage.

Cobert kick-started Erie’s second-quarter flurry with a fast-break bucket. Kayla Waggoner and Paige Rus each added field goals before Desirae Lawson hit a free throw and later a 3-pointer. Taylor Stewart capped the blitz with a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left in the half.

Cobert hit a pair of 3s to help Erie build a 16-point cushion at 35-19 with 3:18 left in the third quarter.

The Marcos used an 8-1 spurt to get within single digits, 36-27, with 1:35 left in the third. Aleetra Roberts, who scored a team-high 14 points, started Polo’s push with a putback of her own miss. Alina Llanas knocked down a 3-pointer and Roberts converted a three-point play to make it a nine-point game.

Leading 44-32 with about 5 minutes remaining, the Cardinals finished strong, going on a 13-0 tear. Cobert provided nine points in the fourth quarter alone.

Polo got eight points from Ashley Haye.

Star of the game: Courtney Cobert, Erie, game-high 20 points, 16 in 2nd half

Key performers: Aleetra Roberts, Polo, team-high 14 points; Desirae Lawson and Paige Rus, Erie, 8 points apiece