Calhoun's Grace Baalman battles opponents in a game earlier in the season. Calhoun's girls are state bound after thrashing Steeleville 86-24 in the IHSA Class 1A Supersectional on Monday night.

Calhoun coach Aaron Baalman said his girls came in ready to play.

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"The girls never looked back after the start," he said. "We had a really good team effort. All the girls stepped in and played well. I couldn't be more proud of the girls on their effort. We will dig in some game film and put together a game plan. We take every game one at a time."

Baalman and the girls celebrated the victory Monday night, but he said on Tuesday they will begin preparation for the state contest on Friday.

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The Warriors led 46-0 at one point in the game after being ahead 28-0 after the first period. The first Steeleville basket came wiht 1:46 left in the second quarter.

Grace Baalman led Calhoun with 18 points; Emma Baalman added 15 points; Kassidy Klocke had eight points.

Calhoun (31-2) has captured 27 straight wins and meets Gilman Iroquois West (28-3) at 2 p.m. on Friday in the state semifinals at Redbird Arena in Normal.

Moweaqua Central A & M (31-1) plays Prophetstown (30-3) in the other state semifinal game.

Baalman and the girls celebrated the victory Monday night, but he said today they will begin preparation for the state contest on Friday.

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