Geneva outlasts Rolling Meadows in 3 OTs
In a game that included 10-0 and 17-0 runs, it was a bit ironic that the outcome wasn't determined until the third 4-point minute overtime period.
Geneva (9-2) scored the first 7 points of triple overtime and finally separated itself from Rolling Meadows (10-5) during its 78-72 marathon girls basketball victory in the consolation semifinals of the 7th annual Montini Christmas Tournament Tuesday afternoon in Lombard.
Sophomore guards Margaret Whitley (17 points) and Stephanie Hart (13 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) each tallied 4 points as the Vikings outscored the Mustangs 11-5 in the third overtime.
"Every time we got into another overtime, I got a burst of energy," said Hart of her team's ability to overcome the fatigue factor. "I really couldn't tell that I was tired."
Nearly a year ago to the day, Geneva dropped a 66-63 double-overtime decision to Huntley on the third day of the tourney at Montini.
"We always play overtime games here," joked Geneva coach Sarah Meadows. "It always happens when they (Batavia) play after us - it happened twice last year."
Hart's driving layup and an offensive rebound putback by 6-2 junior Grace Loberg (12 points, 14 rebounds) helped the Vikings seize control in the third extra session.
"I'm super proud of our kids," said Meadows. "We're a young team and I think this was a really good game for us to grow up a little bit and understand the pressure and possessions."
Geneva came out firing, scoring the game's first 10 points and grabbing an 18-13 first-quarter lead thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from Hart and individual 3-pointers by Whitley and Maddy Yelle (11 points).
However, the tide turned quickly as the Mustangs closed out the opening period on a 9-0 run and began the second quarter with 8 straight points while taking a 21-18 lead.
Junior guard Kyra Spiwak (23 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds) keyed the 17-0 surge with 9 points, including a 3-point play, while Morgan Campagna (19 points, 14 rebounds) banked in a long 3-pointer at the first-quarter buzzer.
That set the tone for more buzzer-beating heroics for the Mustangs.
Kelsey Nallon (12 points) canned a 3-pointer from the wing with 1 second remaining in the third quarter to give Rolling Meadows a 42-41 lead.
After Hart's 3-pointer enabled the Vikings to go in front 50-47 late in the fourth quarter, Megan King (9 points) connected on an NBA-range 3-pointer with 11 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.
"She (King) was almost out of bounds," said Meadows.
Rolling Meadows took a 59-55 lead on Nallon's 3-point play with 41 seconds left in the first overtime before Geneva tied it on baskets by Loberg and Taylor Williams (9 points, 7 rebounds).
"It was a great high school basketball game," said Mustangs coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "I feel bad for my kids. I don't think there's anything to feel ashamed of losing to a team like Geneva. Our kids can leave here knowing they gave everything they had."