Wheaton North 59, Oak Park-River Forest 57
Wheaton North seniors Allie Cerone, Michelle Scandora and Brittany Nelson were not about to go quietly into the night.
With the Falcons season and their high school careers on the line in Wednesday's Class 4A Fenwick girls basketball regional semifinal against Oak Park-River Forest, this trio came together to do what seniors do best -- they led their team in tough times.
Cerone, Scandora and Nelson scored all 8 of the team's points in overtime to lead the Falcons to a hard-fought 59-57 victory over the Huskies in Oak Park. No. 8 seed Wheaton North now faces a giant task in taking on the top-seeded Friars on their home court in Friday's regional championship game.
"It feels great -- we deserve it," Scandora said. "We pushed through tough times and stayed composed. We are a pretty experienced team and hit our shots."
After staying within a couple of points at the end of the first quarter and at halftime, the Falcons trailed by as many as 9 points late in the third quarter. But the play of Cerone, Scandora, guard Brooke Olson and others helped them claw back.
Cerone led all scorers with a season-high 21 points, including 4 points in overtime. The point guard nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing in the extra session to give the team a lift. She also scored a huge bucket late in regulation that gave the Falcons (18-8) what seemed to be a lead for good with only four seconds left.
On an inbounds play from midcourt, the crafty Cerone snuck behind the Oak Park defense on a set play and Scandora rifled a long pass to her and Cerone made the layup for a 51-49 lead. After calling a timeout the Huskies (20-10) had to go the length of the court.
They threw the ball inbounds, but the clock didn't start when it should have and that gave Oak Park forward Miki Carter just enough time to make a shot underneath to tie the game.
"Regulation was a fluke," said Wheaton North coach David Eaton. "The girls did a good job and kept their composure. We played with a lot of confidence. Confidence got it done."
"That was our motivation," said Cerone, referring to the slow clock at the end of regulation. "I wasn't ready to hang up my jersey yet."
Besides Cerone, who also made a free throw in overtime, Scandora put home a clutch reverse shot under the basket and Nelson calmly sank a pair of free throws. Scandora, a forward, finished with 14 points, including 6 in the fourth quarter, before fouling out in overtime.
Olson also tallied 12 points for the Falcons. She fouled out as well. The Huskies were led by 15 points by Carter and 13 points from Brittany Smith.
"(The Falcons) are a good team and should be proud of themselves," said Oak Park coach Bob Biggins.