The Taylorville Tornadoes, who this season have been so good at free throw shooting, struggled from the line Friday evening going 4/14 from the line as the Rochester Rockets defeated Taylorville to win the Regional Championship 42-41. 

Taylorville was looking for their first regional championship since 2013.  The Tornadoes jumped out to a 13-9 lead with Kyleigh Heimsness throwing in two 3-pointers, and Hope Kietzman putting in a big 3.  Rochester's Alaina Stock scored 8 out of the 9 points for Rochester, keeping the Rockets in the game. 

Both teams struggled with offense in the first part of the second quarter but came alive in the second part.  Rochester would outscore Taylorville 11-8 but Taylorville would take a 1-point lead into the locker room 21-20 as Mazie Fleming dropped six points. 

Taylorville, who was without leading scorer Addison Tarr as she dealt with a knee injury, fought valiantly in the third quarter but it would be Rochester having a 13-8 third quarter and taking the lead into the fourth quarter jumping to a 33-29 lead. Lia Champley would also go down in the third quarter with a concussion. Fleming continued to be a force on the court as she contributed 7 points bringing her total to 15.

In the fourth quarter, Taylorville would take a 41-40 lead thanks to a wild Grace Rogers layup, but the lead would be short-lived, as a Bailiegh Wernz foul sent Rockets' Taylor Offer to the line.  Offer hit both of her free throws with 2.1 seconds left.  Taylorville raced down the court and called a timeout with 1.3 seconds left.  Heimsness passed it into Fleming who turned and shot, but the shot came up short and Rochester beat Taylorville 42-41. 

Mazie Fleming was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game.  She finished the night with 15 points as did Grace Rogers. Rogers struggled from the Free Throw line shooting 3/10 from the line. 

Taylorville Head Coach Hayden Eldred spoke highly of the girls Friday evening saying they gave their all. 

Congratulations to our seniors and we wish them the best moving forward.  Lia Champley, Addison Tarr, Kyleigh Heimsness, Liz Martin, and Mazie Fleming. Rochester will play on Tuesday against either Mohomet Seymour or Danville in the IHSA Playoffs.  Taylorville finishes their season 19-11.