United holds off Springfield, 38-35

By Tom Williams

HANOVERTON — With the Inter Tri-County League Tier One title on the line, the Springfield High girls basketball team’s buzzer magic expired.

In the final second against United, the Tigers’ Ashley Davis launched a 3-point shot that hit the rim and bounced away, preserving the Eagles’ 38-35 victory on Friday at United High that has created a tie atop the league standings.

A month ago, Davis’ basket at the buzzer gave the Tigers (15-3, 11-2) a 45-44 win over the Eagles (15-4, 11-2) at Springfield. Now they are tied with each having one league game to play.

“It feels amazing to win that game,” said United junior guard Rachel Sell who sank all six of her free throw attempts in the fourth quarter. “I was just trying to not think about [what was at stake].

“Obviously if I didn’t make those, it would have been a much tougher game,” said Sell whose 10 points led the Eagles in scoring.

After losing three starters off last year’s Division III district champion, United coach Roger Zeigler is pleased with how well his team has come together.

“You have to give them credit — you lose the point guard [and] shooter [to graduation] and the post player doesn’t come out, and we have a chance to go 16-4,” Ziegler said. “What a great job they’ve done all year.”

After three quarters of sluggish play, both teams shook off some rust.

“We just didn’t play well, but give them credit,” said Springfield coach Sandi Kohler whose team trailed 10-2 early on. “We didn’t make [key] free throws.”

The Tigers were 10-of-18 from the line and the Eagles 11-of-20.

Lexi Zubick and Davis led the Tigers with eight points apiece. Andria Lyons and Brooke Schrieber each netted seven.

Both teams struggled to score until the final frame. Then the game took on the atmosphere of a championship bout.

After picking up two personal fouls in the game’s opening minutes, senior forward Kallie Rogers boosted the Tigers in the third quarter by pulling down four rebounds and scoring three points to keep the Eagles within reach.

“That hurt us big time, having our leading scorer on the bench for most of the first half,” Kohler said.

Sell said she didn’t think postponed games were a factor.

“I think we were just trying to move the ball around to get easy shots,” Sell said. “They played pretty good D on us.”

After Ruth Prosko’s basket gave the Eagles a 28-21 lead, the Tigers came to life by posting a 12-4 run.

With less than three minutes remaining, a basket and free throw by Schrieber put the Tigers ahead for the first time, 33-32.

Sierra Parks, who finished with eight points, grabbed a rebound and scored from underneath as the Eagles regained the lead.

Sell gave the Eagles a cushion with two more free throws.

After a Springfield giveaway, Zubick knocked the ball loose and took a pass from Davis for an easy layup for a 36-35 score.

But Sell made two more free throws with 10 seconds to go for a three-point lead.

Eagles senior Hillary Hoppel said experience helped her teammates withstand the Tigers’ fourth-quarter surge.

“We were in [the same] situation last time with them,” said Hoppel who scored nine points and made five rebounds. “[Sell’s free throws] really helped us out at the end.”

United plays East Palestine on Thursday while Springfield plays South Range on Feb. 20.

williams@vindy.com