Doody to rescue for Neuqua

Megan Doody is one of only two seniors on Neuqua Valley this season, and her veteran leadership paid big dividends against conference foe Metea Valley.

Doody tallied a steal, layup and an assist on the game-tying basket in the final minute of the fourth quarter, followed by the game-winning jumper with 5.1 seconds left in overtime to lift the Wildcats to a 57-55 win over their Upstate Eight Valley rival Thursday.

"Tonight showed that we don't give up," Doody said. "We were down most of the game. It wasn't pretty, but we finished it out and got the win and that's all that matters."

It marked the second straight year in which both teams needed overtime against one another. Neuqua Valley (7-1, 2-1) came away with the victory in similar fashion last season.

"It was the same way last year," Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams said. "It came down to the last shot then, and tonight, we found a way to win."

In a game that saw the lead change 16 times, neither team held anything bigger than the 6-point advantage when Metea Valley (4-6, 2-2) went up 8-2 in the first quarter.

The Mustangs took its largest lead of the second half at 50-45 when Lori Obendorf split a pair of free throws with 1:15 left in regulation.

Shay Robinson trimmed the lead down to 50-48 with a rebound basket and free throw.

From there Doody stepped up and made the necessary plays down the stretch. Her steal near midcourt led to a fastbreak layup, tying the game at 50. Metea Valley took its last lead of the night on a layup by Amira Turner with 11.4 seconds left.

On the next Neuqua Valley possession Doody dribbled her way into the lane, was double-teamed, but found Najee Smith underneath for the game-tying bucket, forcing overtime. Smith finished with 19 points.

"I saw Najee out of the corner of my eye and she finished it," Doody said.

Doody finished the night knocking down an 8-foot jumper with 5.1 seconds left in overtime to seal the victory.

For Metea Valley, a 17-for-32 night at the free-throw line, including an 0-of-8 stretch between the second and third quarters, was costly, according to coach Kris Kalivas.

"If we make our free throws, it's not even close," Kalivas said. "And then it was turnovers. We'd beat their fullcourt pressure and then in the half court, we just threw the ball away.

"Not to take anything away from (Neuqua Valley), but that's a game we should have won."

Megan Geldernick led the Mustangs with 16 points, while Bria Walker added 15.