2-A Girls : University Is Upset Winner

University High School senior forward Heidi Erpelding said afterward that she didn’t want Saturday night’s 2-A semifinal game against Hilltop High to be her last as a high school athlete.

Thanks to her outstanding performance on the court, it wasn’t.

Erpelding scored a career-high 34 points to lead the third-seeded Dons past the second-seeded Lancers, 53-49.

University (21-3) will meet top-seeded El Camino in the girls 2-A final Wednesday afternoon in the Sports Arena.

“What can you say about Heidi,” University Coach Dana Shelburne said. “She runs the offense, scores inside and plays good defense. She obviously had an exceptional game tonight.”

Erpelding hit 12 of 14 free throws in the first half and scored 22 points to help the Dons erase an early, 12-4 deficit for a 29-27 halftime lead.

Then, in the second half, after Andrea Scampone had snapped a 33-33 tie with two baskets, Erpelding scored University’s next 10 points to give the Dons a 49-43 lead with 5:22 to go.

Along with her offensive output, Erpelding was also instrumental in University’s zone-press, which constantly harassed Hilltop throughout the contest.

The Lancers, who had defeated University by 17 points earlier this season, were led by Donna Matthews’ 17 points.