South Elgin outlasts Larkin in overtime
Marlee Kyles turned in one more vintage performance in her final game at Larkin, but it wasn't enough to stop clutch-shooting and top-seeded South Elgin Tuesday night in the Class 4A Larkin regional semifinals.
Kyles scored 36 points including what could have been the game-winner in the controversial closing seconds of regulation. Storm sophomore Casey Brennan answered with 2 free throws with .8 seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
South Elgin (21-7) outscored Larkin 8-2 in the extra session, all the points coming from Mackie Kelleher, who finished with 28 in a 78-72 win.
"It was intense," Storm senior guard Emmy McIntosh said. "It was so nerve-wracking. But it was good because we all believed in each other."
McIntosh and Teagan Pompa scored 18 points for the Storm, and Grace Franks added 10. The Storm led by 13 points in the third quarter before Kyles willed her team back with a series of 3s, floaters, drives and step-back jumpers. She had 25 points through three quarters as the Royals pulled within 46-44.
In a fourth quarter filled with momentum swings - 8 ties or lead changes - and big shots - Larkin hit 6 3-pointers and South Elgin 3, Royals freshman Aaliyah Dixon delivered the most. She made four 3s, all from the same spot in the right corner, that gave Larkin leads of 54-52, 57-53, 63-60 and 66-62.
South Elgin came back each time. The sixth 3-pointer from McIntosh brought the Storm within 66-65 in the final minute.
Dixon, who scored 14 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter, scored on a third-chance basket for a 68-65 lead. This time it was Pompa's turn to nail a huge shot, a 3-point basket that tied the game at 68 with 20 seconds left.
That set up a dramatic - and controversial - finish. After a Larkin (12-16) timeout, the clock didn't start for several seconds after the Royals inbounded.
Kyles eventually got the ball in her hands and split several defenders on a drive that ended with her lay-in and a 70-68 lead. But 4.8 seconds remained - after 1.5 seconds were added to the clock - just enough time for Brennan to drive the other way for the Storm and get fouled with .8 seconds left.
"I don't blame anybody on the clock," Larkin coach Steve Knapp said of it not starting on time. "I don't like saying this, but the one thing I didn't like was time was added to the clock that I was not aware of."
Brennan said the play was designed for her to kick to either Pompa or McIntosh. She swished the first free throw, Knapp called timeout to ice her, and she drained the second as well.
"I was extremely nervous," Brennan said. "I was practicing all afternoon on my free throws because I usually miss them."
Shawniece Colen-Douglas gave the Royals their final lead in overtime at 71-70. Kelleher scored back-to-back inside buckets, then sealed the game with 4 free throws in the final 17 seconds.
South Elgin, which set a school record with its 21st win, will play Streamwood for the regional title Thursday.
"The IHSA wanted a great game and they got it," Storm coach Dan Mandernack said. "Our girls kept grinding. We hit a little adversity and they didn't back down. The stared adversity in the eye and kept battling. Just ice water in their veins both ways. We stayed positive. There was no panic."
Larkin freshman Brianna Young added 11 points and 12 rebounds. Kyles finished her career with 2,039 points.
"There's nothing I can say that she can't do or didn't do," Knapp said. "It's just too bad we came up a little short."