COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Eastmoor Academy and Independence met for the third time this season on Tuesday night but this time, it was in the sectional semifinal of the OHSAA state tournament. The Warriors came out of the contest victorious by a score of 55-23 and advanced to the sectional final to face Gahanna Lincoln. 

Both teams experienced slow starts in the first quarter. Eastmoor got on the board first with a free throw by senior Music Thornton. Independence answered with a free throw and baseline jumper by senior Nya Shellow. The Warriors ended the quarter on an 8-0 run thanks to an old-fashioned three point play by senior Kal’Vonna Leeper, two more free throws by Mu. Thornton and a buzzer beating three by sophomore Mali Thornton. After one period, Eastmoor led 9-3 and never looked back. 

Leeper banked in a three from the left wing to keep the momentum for the Warriors to start the second quarter and freshman Aliyah Brock added another three. Eastmoor’s pressure defense was a major challenge for the Sixers who did not score until 4:28 left in the quarter when senior Seraiah Blackford sank one of two attempts for Independence. Eastmoor dominated the remainder of the quarter, outscoring the Sixers 21-7 over the frame and the Warriors headed into halftime with a comfortable 30-10 lead. 

The third quarter was another defensive gem for Easmoor, holding Independence to just four points. Ma. Thornton and senior Latrese Degraphenreed scored back to back baskets before junior Shanye Brinkley snagged an offensive rebound and converted a layup for the Sixers. Towards the end of the quarter, Leeper finished a layup in transition and Ma. Thornton scored two straight baskets for Eastmoor to stretch the lead. Sophomore Shawnea Foster drained a mid range jumper for Independence just before the quarter break. With one period to play, Eastmoor led 40-14. 

The fourth quarter featured quite a bit of scoring by both sides. After several free throws, Foster got in on the action again with a mid range jumper but was answered by senior T’Mia Carter for Eastmoor. Brock scored back to back baskets in the middle of the quarter and Carter added another. Shellow finished two layups toward the end of the quarter and finished things off with a free throw for Independence. 

Leeper led the Warriors with 14 and was supported by Ma. Thornton with 11 and Brock with ten. Shellow paced the Sixers with eight and Foster added seven in the loss. 

Let’s take a look at Tuesday’s top performers.

Music Thornton (5’5 G / Eastmoor Academy / 2022) - Music was an energizer bunny for Eastmoor on Tuesday, man does she have some energy. She was making plays all over the court on offense and defense. She anticipates passes well, has quick feet on defense and is a great vocal leader for the Warriors. She scored at the rim, from the free throw line and in the mid range. She is a difference maker and a competitor.

Kal’Vonna Leeper (5’6 G / Eastmoor Academy / 2022) - Leeper did just about everything for the Warriors on Tuesday. She drained two three pointers, finished in transition and through contact when attacking the basket and distributed the ball when needed. Leeper has a beautiful outside shot and is pretty consistent. She is an active defender and rebounder and disrupted passing lanes. She, along with Music Thornton, are a great one-two punch for Eastmoor.

Mali Thornton (5’9 F / Eastmoor Academy / 2024) - Mali has a bright future ahead of her. The lengthy forward has fantastic court vision and hit open teammates for baskets on at least four occasions. She finished layups equally well with her right and left hands and has started to develop some great post moves including a left handed hook. She attacks the rim with purpose, pursues the ball hard and is a competitor. She even drained a three pointer from nearly half court before the first quarter buzzer sounded. Big things to come for this sophomore.

Shawnea Foster (5’11 F / Independence / 2024) - Despite the offensive struggles of Independence, Foster did some things that stood out to us. She is incredibly athletic which is most prevalent defensively and when rebounding. She has solid court awareness and knows what she needs to do and when to do it. She has a nice shot but could use a little consistency. With some work on the fundamentals, Foster could be a huge threat for Independence in the coming seasons.