Girls Basketball: Demetria Watson, Kalea Parks key Proviso East rout of Simeon

Updated: February 14, 2012 8:00PM

Fourth-seeded Proviso East didn’t show any signs of looking past its first playoff opponent Tuesday night.

The Pirates routed 13th-seeded Simeon 74-35 in the Class 4A Simeon Regional semifinal. Four of Proviso East’s starters reached double figures scoring led by 16 points each from Demetria Watson, who added four three-pointers, and leading scorer Kalea Parks. Jaliria and Jakeisha Wells (10 rebounds) added 14 points each.

Proviso (22-8) jumped out to a 16-5 lead to open the game and led 31-22 at halftime over the Wolverines (10-14).

“It’s very important to get out very fast,” Watson said. “We know they have the home court advantage. It feels really good. We want to keep up the winning mentality the school has.”

The Pirates will attempt to win their third consecutive regional title and sixth in the last seven years at 7:30 p.m. Friday against fifth-seeded Hinsdale South (20-6) or 12th-seeded Hinsdale Central (9-16). Hinsdale South defeated the Pirates 59-43 Feb. 3 to clinch the West Suburban Gold title.

“We knew we could beat Simeon, but we knew we had to play hard,” Watson said.

Watson scored 10 points in the first half. Proviso held Simeon without a basket for a stretch of over 7:30 in the first half to take a 19-10 lead.

Brittney Gatlin led Simeon with nine points while Cierra Selvie had eight.

Proviso went on a 23-0 run in the second half. The last 18 points of the run opened the fourth quarter. Simeon made only two baskets in the third quarter and was outscored 12-4 in the period.

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