Crestview wins at charity stripe

The Rebels were 30 of 40 at the line in a 66-57 overtime win at Columbiana.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIANA -- Chelsea Bowker led a spirited overtime effort and Crestview High made 30 of 40 free throws, as the Rebels edged Columbiana, 66-57, in a Tri-County League girls basketball game Monday night.
Crestview (15-1, 9-1 TCL) took sole possession of first place, one game ahead of the Clippers (13-, 8-2).
Sparks overtime
Bowker, who finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds, scored nine points in the overtime period as Crestview went on an 8-0 run to break away. Bowker started with steal, then converted a three-point play as Crestview took a 52-49 just seconds into the extra period.
"I just took a chance and went for it," said Bowker of the big play, "and I think that was a big basket for us."
Crestview coach Tanja Simione noted Bowker is just a freshman.
"She's a player and she took the game into her own hands," said Simione. "I'm glad she's a Rebel."
The Clippers answered Crestview early in the overtime, but seemed to have the air taken out of them when Katie Douglas fouled out with 2:47 remaining. From there the Clippers scored just one more field goal. Douglas led Columbiana with 18 points, with many coming at key moments. Additionally she was a force both with rebounds and blocked shots.
Only nine free throws
Columbiana attempted just nine free throws compared to the Rebels' 40.
"The fouls were about the same as the first time we played them," said Columbiana coach Wayne Johnson. "I don't think it was called too closely or unfairly but 40-to-9 is a big discrepancy."
Crestview also won the first meeting, 64-45.
The Rebels also got a big game from senior Brianne Phillis, who finished with 22 points.
The score was tied at 12 early in the second quarter before Columbiana went on a 12-2 run to lead 24-14 with 2:56 remaining in the half. Colleen Eisenbraun, who finished with 15 points, started the rally with a basket, Kristina Davidson had a 3-pointer and Krista Johnson capped it with a layup.
Clippers led by 13 points
Columbiana, whose biggest lead was 13 points, led 30-18 at the intermission as Davidson made another 3-pointer in the last minute.
"We played a really good first half and had some people who really stepped it up," said Johnson, "and in the second half, it's not that we let up, it's just that we weren't able to do some things."
Crestview, though, rallied in the third quarter behind Phillis, who scored seven points, to cut the score to 36-34 entering the final period.
"We got yelled at, at the half," said Phillis, "and the coach stressed defense and heart. We just needed to get our heads on straight and focus on defense."
Phillis scored seven more points in the fourth quarter and had a chance to win the game with a designed play for her in the final seconds of regulation.
"I think I let it go too early," she said of her shot, which came with about four seconds to go. "But it all worked out."