For the past four seasons, Batavia’s Kylee Gehrt has watched Brooke Carlson’s career up close.
Heading into arguably the biggest game in program history Thursday night, Gehrt knew one thing for sure. The moment against archrival Geneva wouldn’t be too big for her star teammate.
“It’s expected,” Gehrt said of the Colorado State-bound Carlson. “I know Brooke. I know what she can do. This is her role on the team — to score those points. I’m so proud of her.
“She just did amazing.”
Carlson scored four seconds into the first quarter and didn’t stop. The senior guard finished with a game-high 34 points, leading the host Bulldogs to a 58-46 victory in the Class 4A Batavia Sectional championship game.
Junior forward Hallie Crane added eight points and Gehrt, a senior guard, contributed six for Batavia (29-5), which earned the first sectional title in program history. Carlson, who had nine rebounds and three steals, shot 12 of 20 from the floor and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line.
Leah Palmer paced Geneva (23-9) with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Lucie Garnier came off the bench and scored 10 points.
Gehrt knew the game was going to get off to a good start due to a play the Bulldogs practiced Wednesday for the opening tip. Addie Prewitt won it and Carlson sprinted down the court. The ball was played ahead, Batavia went up 2-0, and the home crowd was whipped into a frenzy.
“We knew it was going to work,” Gehrt said. “We all knew what we had to do. We all had players to defend. Brooke ran out. Addie can get any jump ball. It was just amazing like, ‘This is awesome.’”
Carlson put the hammer down the rest of the first half, ending up with 19 points by halftime as the Bulldogs grabbed a 32-13 lead.
“Coming out in the second quarter and really stepping on them was really the main thing we needed to do,” Carlson said. “We thought if we were able to get out on them fast we were good.”
It means Batavia will play in its first-ever supersectional hosted by Bartlett at 7 p.m. Monday against Fremd (28-6), a 46-41 winner over Stevenson.
While the Bulldogs were thrilled with their start to the game, Geneva coach Sarah Meadows lamented the fact that the Vikings shot 20% (5 of 25) in the first half, digging a big hole.
“The first half for us was just not good,” Meadows said. “That was the ballgame. At one point, (Carlson) had 17 of their 23 points. She’s a great player. She’s very capable of that.”
Batavia coach Kevin Jensen looked at Carlson’s performance from a historic perspective.
He coached Hannah Frazier and Liza Fruendt, the top two players Carlson passed this season to become the program’s all-time leading scorer, so he has seen plenty of big games.
“That will go down in Batavia lore,” Jensen said. “It’s hard to make an argument about anybody being a better ballplayer from this high school. In big moments, she’s been huge.
“To come up that big in a game that means so much on our home floor, that was fun.”
Carlson felt the love all night, and she didn’t take it for granted.
“It’s amazing to see how many people are in my corner and supporting me,” Carlson said, beaming afterward. “I just try to do my best to be the best person and basketball player.
“I think it’s amazing to see how everybody is with me and cheering for me.”
Now, Carlson and the Bulldogs will prepare for the latest biggest game in program history.
“We’re excited,” Carlson said. “We’re ready. This was our goal the whole season. We knew we were capable. As we say, the job’s not finished. We’re going to come out Monday ready to go.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
