Holland's overtime scoring helps Rayen defeat Poland

Taniesha Holland tossed in six of Rayen's seven overtime points in a 40-33 victory.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
POLAND -- The Rayen School girls basketball team didn't expect any extra hospitality in its game Wednesday at Poland -- not after stunning the Bulldogs on their home floor last season.
Turns out, the Tigers didn't need any extra hospitality this time anyway, because they made themselves right at home.
Junior Taniesha Holland scored six of her game-high 19 points in overtime as Rayen defeated Poland again, 40-33.
Pressure-packed
"We were under a lot more pressure, because we came here last year and beat them [44-41]," Rayen coach Holly Seimetz said. "So I knew Poland would be out to get us, like maybe they thought [last season's game] might be a fluke."
The Tigers proved that wasn't so.
"My kids were up for it," Seimetz said. "I told them that we needed this win to go into the tournament, and my kids played them real tough. We hung in there."
The game served as a preview of two teams playing in the Division II district tournament at Austintown Fitch. Positioned in opposite brackets, Poland (10-6) is seeded second, Rayen (11-7) fourth.
Now, both coaches have an indication of what their teams must do before the postseason.
"We're not playing with any confidence, any pizzazz or enthusiasm," said Poland coach Jamie Dunn, accepting the blame for his team's shortcomings. "Our kids are playing tentative."
Working overtime
Junior Alex Rokicki's jumper in the lane tied the score at 33 with 27 seconds remaining in regulation, forcing the overtime and allowing Poland four more minutes to unite on a night in which it struggled.
That never happened.
"I told them that we hadn't really done much to that point, but I said that we at least have a second life here, so let's try to go out and perform," Dunn said.
Holland, who was inconsistent for much of regulation, stepped up dramatically in overtime, making sure the ball was in her hands with time winding down.
What was she thinking? "We ain't losing," she said.
"Taniesha's the person we truthfully count on," Seimetz said. "She'll go get the ball, and she's good seeing the court."
Holland put the game away with consecutive strong drives to the basket, and Rayen blanked the Bulldogs in the extra session.
Rayen's mindset entering the game, Seimetz stressed, was defensive focus, which made the biggest impact.
"We put pressure on their guards," she said. "Poland has good shooters, and we needed to get on them. My guards knew we had to be in their face."
Both teams struggled throughout most of the game, which was hampered by poor shooting and poor ball control.
"When you go 4-for-15 from the free throw line in your own gym, you're not going to win very many games," Dunn said.
Leaders
Senior Steffi Graf led Poland with 11 points, while senior Taryn Perkins had 10 for Rayen.
As Rayen players left their locker room in celebratory chants, one thing was certain: The City Series had earned respect yet again against a perennial power.
"This is great," Seimetz said. "I just wish we can continue to play, not just Poland, but the other [top area] teams and show them that we can compete.
"We're getting to the point in our program where we're doing that."
richesson@vindy.com