Girls prevail in three overtime thriller

Varsity girls basketball v. Roncalli (Senior Night)

Friday, February 12, 2010

Report by: Frank Staskiewicz, Jr.

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Platteview (3-13) 7 6  6 12 5 6 4 46
Roncalli (6-14)     6 9 11  5 5 6 3 45

Game Stats

Platteview’s third win of the season couldn’t have been a more dramatic one.

The Trojans rallied from a 7-point deficit to open the fourth quarter, and senior Bailey Moore’s layup with 33 seconds left in regulation stood up to force overtime. Three extra periods later junior Rachael Granville’s 5-foot runner at the buzzer gave her team a thrilling 46-45 senior night victory over visiting Roncalli.

Granville, who hadn’t played or practiced since Platteview’s loss to Omaha Mercy back on January 18 due to a nagging back injury, showed up with a doctor’s release note and ready to play. She came off the bench to help the Trojans break Roncalli’s press and spark Platteview’s rally.

Platteview coach Shawn Ekwall said having Granville available for the game was totally unexpected, but he didn’t hesitate to put her on the floor.

“She has been very dedicated going to therapy and rehab over the time she's missed,” Ekwall added. “We know that she's one of our best athletes and a great competitor, and we felt like we needed to use her, especially late in the game, to give us a chance to win.”

Ekwall’s move paid off as Granville scored six of her eight points to open the fourth period and pull the Trojans within 28-27 while sparking Platteview’s rally.

Roncalli’s Janelle Solis hit a 12-footer followed by a lone free throw by Shannon Mulcahy to put the Crimson Pride up by three at 31-28. But Solis missed the front end of a 1-and-1 twice before Platteview’s Moore made one of two free throws in the double bonus to trim Roncalli’s lead to 31-29.

Kasy Wolff then missed both attempts in the double bonus for Roncalli with 43 seconds left, leaving the door open for Platteview to tie the score or take the lead. Moore then put in her tying layup following a Trojans time out.

Monica Long was called for traveling with nine seconds left, giving Platteview a chance to win in regulation. But Granville’s hurried 5-footer at the buzzer was off the mark.

The Trojans shot 5-for-6 from the line in the first overtime, but Moore fouled out with three minutes to go. Sophomore Lauren Kreifels’ bank shot at the buzzer just missed off the rim to keep the score tied at 36-36.

Kreifels fouled out with three minutes left in the second overtime. Benson went 4-for-6 from the line and sophomore Jennie Keyes tied the score at 42-42 with just under a minute left on a short shot. Roncalli elected to run the clock down but never got a shot off as Benson stole the ball with two seconds to go.

Roncalli’s Erica Long put the Crimson Pride on top with a 6-foot jumper early in the third extra period. Keyes hit one of two free throws with 2:02 left as Roncalli’s Solis fouled out. Long and Benson traded free throws before the Pride’s Wolff missed two more free throws with 15 seconds left, and Long missed two with nine seconds to go.

Platteview and Roncalli each burned a time out before the Trojans inbounded the ball to Granville. She dribbled the length of the court to the right side of the lane before putting in her game winner in traffic.

A career night by Benson was key for the Trojans. The senior post player was dominant inside and scored half of her team’s points to lead all scorers with 23. She also pulled down 10 rebounds, made five steals and blocked a shot.

Ekwall said the play of some of his seniors was a key in the game.

"Our seniors definitely stepped up to help us get the win. Annie was huge inside. Bailey's bucket towards the end of regulation was big. Mackenzie Green spelled Lauren Kreifels on Erica Long and did a very good job. They all contributed towards the win."

Platteview recorded 15 steals in the game while outrebounding Roncalli 44-38. Moore had nine rebounds and senior Tiffany Groves eight.

Erica Long led Roncalli with 13 points. Janelle Solis added 12.


GAME STATS (Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Blocked Shots)

Benson 23, 13, 2, 5, 1
Granville 8, 4, 1, 1, 0
Groves 0, 8, 0, 2, 0
Keyes 6, 6, 1, 3, 0
Kreifels 3, 1, 1, 0, 1
Moore 4, 9, 0, 0, 0
Webster 2, 3, 2, 3, 0

Totals 46, 34, 7, 14, 2