Gagne makes her points in Lakeview victory

February 24, 2012 at 12:07a.m.

ANDOVER

Ever since Ali Gagne was a little girl she has dreamed of making a game-winning shot for her team.

Gagne, a senior at Lakeview High, remembers dribbling a basketball in her driveway, or an empty gymnasium, pretending to juke defenders and lay in the game winner. On Thursday, there was no pretending.

The final two of Gagne’s game-high 32 points were the clincher in a 69-67 victory over Perry High in a Division II sectional final at Pymatuning Valley High.

“That’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” an all-smiles Gagne said. “Everyone was just so excited. I knew I wanted the ball, and I just didn’t want to go to overtime.”

Gagne’s floater gave the Bulldogs (18-4) the final lead of the game with 11 seconds to go. The Pirates drew up one play, but a desperation heave banged off the front of the rim and into the waiting hands of the defenders below.

It was fitting that Gagne made the final shot to send the team to the district semifinals. Earlier in the game, she cemented her spot as one of the best players in school history.

With a few minutes left before the half, Gagne heaved up an awkward fade away as she was fouled. The ball swished through the net, earning her a trip to the foul line. It also gave her the most career points in school history, breaking a 35-year-old record. Gagne surpassed the 1,141 mark set by Vicki Lawrence in 1977.

The feat was not acknowledged until the teams left the court for halftime. Gagne received a standing ovation and a series of high fives from the student section.

With her final total, Gagne has a career mark of 1,158 — a mark she can improve upon in the semifinal game against No. 1 seed Geneva on March 1.

For now, it’s all about celebrating as a team.

“All of the girls really stepped up and played great defense tonight, especially in the fourth quarter,” Gagne said. “Now we’re going to get after Geneva.”

Lakeview coach Adam Lewis said he couldn’t be more proud of his team and its effort. With the game tied at 48 entering the final quarter, the Bulldogs started on a 7-0 run. That cushion gave the visitors a chance to play their game.

For example, playing a little bit of keep away.

The Bulldogs would send a player to each corner nearest half court. A slew of passes would keep the ball out of Perry’s hands.

“Every day in practice we work on our stall play for these kinds of situations, and every day they hate it,” Lewis said. “It’s a tedious, time-consuming thing. But after a game like tonight, it is appreciated.”

Also appreciated is what Gagne brings to the team.

Lewis said it has been a pleasure and the senior acts as a role model for her teammates.

“She’s a phenomenal athlete, and she is disciplined,” Lewis said. “She is the first player in the gym and the last player to leave the gym.”

Obviously.

Gagne has to shoot the lights out before she leaves.