Usually when the term character-building is used to describe a game, your team is on the losing end.
But not today(!), as the Maumee Valley girls let a lead slip in the fourth quarter, but came back at the end with some pressure-packed rebounding and free throw shooting to defeat the Cardinal Stritch Cardinals 26-23 at the CS home court.
Starting the game - Delaney Lonsway (‘12), Jazmine Aldridge-Brownlee (‘12), Genna Danes (‘12), Wesley Flaum (‘12) and Kristin Bigelow (’12)
First quarter MV 8 – CS 4
Cardinal Stritch played a 3-2 base zone defense with a lot of pressing throughout the game. MV stayed mostly in its regular 2-3 zone.
Early scoring was fairly balanced between the two teams, who battled to a 4-4 tie over the first five minutes of play. MV took its first lead at the 2:52 mark when Kristin got the ball on a 3/4 court side in, flew down the court and passed to Delaney for the lay-up.
Kristin came right back with a two pointer (video above), and the Hawks took an 8-4 lead at the end of one.
Second Quarter MV 6 – CS 5
Starting the quarter – Well, to tell you the truth - in all this excitement, I'd kind of lost track myself…
Stritch was one of the few teams which had scouted the Hawks, and their first attempt at pressure was a 2-2-1 zone press. MV took advantage of this early in the quarter and was able to get the ball to Kristin for two early baskets. Stritch called off this press mid quarter and substituted in their tallest girls to get more rebounding power.
These changes caused the Hawks trouble on a few fronts. One was foul trouble. Both Delaney and Kristin picked up their third fouls during the quarter. Yazmin AbdelKarim spelled in for Delaney at the 5:19 mark. Jordan Baker saw significant playing time in the second quarter and picked up two fouls defending against the larger CS front line.
The Hawks also had problems passing over the zone, with interceptions on several consecutive offensive possessions. But the Hawks’ defense was stout and kept the Cardinals away from the hoop.
The second quarter ended with MV up by five, 14-9.
Third Quarter CS 11 – MV 4
Starting the quarter – Initial game starters
Cardinal Stritch made one big adjustment in the second half, switching their press from zone to man.
Initially, MV maintained their lead, with Kristin intercepting passes at the top of the Cardinals’ offensive sets. But the CS press gave the Hawks trouble and the home team whittled the lead down to four with 1:17 left. Kristin made a two pointer for MV to get the lead back to six points:
...but two Cardinal baskets in the last 39 seconds cut the Blue and White’s advantage to a single bucket, 20-18 at the quarter’s end.
From the third quarter, a pair of Kristin free throws
Fourth quarter – MV 6 – CS 5
Starting the quarter - initial game starters
CS opened strong with a running two pointer and a free throw on the next trip down to take the lead 21-20. Play was rough and tumble and both teams got into the bonus with 6:13 left in the game. Cardinal Stritch scored its fifth consecutive points in the quarter and held the lead 23-20.
It was look-in-the-mirror time for the girls...and they would respond.
Kristin slashed to the basket to draw the Hawks to within one near the four minute mark...
...and now it was the home team’s turn to deal with self-doubt.
At 3:17, the drama would increase when Kristin was called for her fourth foul; one more and she would be gone for the game. But Coach Mussery would not back down. He dialed up a half court trapping defense which rattled the Cardinals and the home team called time with 2:14 left.
Up by one, the home team tried to spread the floor and run out the clock. But after 45 seconds of success, Genna stole a pass, drove the length of the floor and was fouled. She would miss, and CS tried again to burn down the time. MV relied on defense and with 47.5 seconds remaining, they forced a back court violation and had the ball, down one point.
Kristin was fouled on the next posession and went to the line to shoot two. She missed both, which led to the Play of the Game.
On the second miss, Genna grabbed the rebound and was fouled trying to put the ball back up. This time she made both ends and the Hawks had clawed back to a one point lead.
Cardinal Stritch worked for a 10 foot shot to go back ahead and missed. Again, Genna pulled the ball in and was fouled. This time she made one of two and MV led by two, 25-23.
The Cardinals had the ball back and this time, drew a foul on their shot attempt. With 4.6 seconds left, they had a chance to tie. However, they missed both ends and Jasmine gathered in another huge rebound.
She went to the line and made one.
With a three point lead and little time left, all the Cardinals could do was heave a desperation three-ball from past the half court line. The shot never made the backboard and the Hawks pulled out the win.
Summary
So a big win for the Hawks, who are now 3-7 on the season. Next up is the Monclova Christian Thunder at home on Thursday evening. MV defeated the Thunder 45-13 in December.
Scoring
Kristin led all scorers with 20, but Genna (3) and Jasmine (1) scored at the most opportune time of the game. Delaney also had two for the victors.
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