Lindfors stands tall for Driscoll
In a heated matchup with Walther Lutheran, Driscoll found its constant in Courtney Lindfors.
The 6-foot-4 Highlanders junior scored 14 of her 26 points in the fourth quarter, including eight straight points to give Driscoll the lead for good in a 60-50 win in Saturday's rematch of last year's Class 2A sectional final in Addison.
"She played outstanding," Driscoll coach Steve McCuiston said, "and we need her to step up big in a game like this. We have that advantage inside. Walther Lutheran had a little bit of a quickness advantage on us. We need to take advantage of what our strengths are. We did tonight."
Driscoll (9-0) trailed 50-48 with 3:32 left after Walther Lutheran's Capucine Stevens hit a baseline jumper. At the other end Lindfors scored inside, gave Driscoll the lead on a basket off a lob and put down a jump hook to make it 54-50 with 2:13 left. She added two free throws to make it 56-50 with 1:22 to play.
"I wasn't finishing earlier in the game," said Lindfors, who also had 17 rebounds and 2 blocks, "but for them to still trust in me to finish felt really good."
Both teams came in unbeaten, both anticipating their first true test of the season.
It had its share of twists and turns. Two Driscoll technical fouls. A Highlanders five-point play, and later a second Driscoll free throw wiped off by a lane violation.
"It was hectic out there," Lindfors said.
In a tight first half the teams played to nine lead changes and five ties. Caneka Davis knocked down Walther Lutheran's seventh 3-pointer of the first half to give the Broncos a 25-23 lead into the break.
Driscoll came out strong in the third quarter and took a 39-31 lead on an unusual five-point possession. Lindfors made two free throws, and after Walther Lutheran was called for a foul on the second free throw Driscoll's Allie Divito buried a long 3-pointer.
But the Broncos (8-1) came all the way back to take a 47-46 lead with 4:52 left in the fourth on two Davis free throws. The Broncos played much of the fourth quarter with a small lineup minus center Emma Schmidt-Swartz, and Driscoll capitalized.
"We played 3 1/2 good quarters of basketball," Walther Lutheran coach Todd Fisher said. "They spread the floor out and they got the ball to Lindfors - but our guards have to have better pressure. If we pressure their guards they have a hard time of getting that lob pass into Lindfors."
Taylor Reaber scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Driscoll. Kasey Reaber added 8 points. Morgan Ransom scored 14 points and Davis 12 for Walther Lutheran.
"We're both rivals, and we beat them in sectionals last year, so there's a little intensity there," Taylor Reaber said. "It feels good to come out with a victory."