HGBA

Tonight the teams in White won, but in neither case were the wins easy.

In the first quarterfinal game of the Division 3-A playoffs, Team Welch held the number seed 1 Team LaRossa to just 12 points.  However, the Team LaRossa defense was just as tough, and they survived the struggle by a final score of 12-8. 

Team Welch may have been the number 8 seed in the tournament, but the team sure didn't play like it.  The Team Welch defensive 1-2-2 zone was extremely effective; allowing Team LaRossa only one shot on many trips down the floor. 

In the nightcap, this was the classic four-five seed matchup of two very good teams.  Going into the game, Team Berger had defeated Team Partyka twice during the regular season by a grand total of just 8 points. 

This game saw several lead changes throughout the contest.  Team Partyka held a four point advantage with 2 minutes remaining.  Team Berger rallied as Maddie Kelly drove the lane and scored on a floater in the final minute to knot the score at 18 and force overtime.

At the start of the 3 minute overtime, Team Berger used the momentum generated at the end of regulation and quickly built a four point advantage, but a reverse layup by Kelly Blair cut the led to 22-20 with a minute to play.

After a defensive stop, Paige Hoffman was fouled with 9.2 seconds.  Her first free throw bounced off the rim, but her second attempt was good and the lead was cut to one at 22-21.

Team Partyka was able to force a turnover on the inbounds play, however, Kate Sullivan 18 footer at the buzzer bounced off the rim; preserving the one point Team Berger victory.

The first semi-final on Thursday is set.  Team LaRossa will face Team Berger at 7:00 PM at East.