by Cover photo by Amanda Darmos.
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A Bella Simmons steal with seconds to go sealed the 52-47 win for Firelands over Amherst tonight. It was a heated game that saw Kristen Kelley and Abbey Schmitz go toe to toe several times throughout the contest, but in the end it was the supporting cast of both that made it a thrilling conclusion.
Hailey Urban finished with 9 points for the Falcons, all of which came in the fourth. Bella Simmons had 10 big points, but also one huge steal after another as she played lights out defense. As mentioned, Abbey Schmitz led the Falcons with 20 points, but sat the final minutes of the game as her teammates took it home.
For Amherst, Kayla Ferancy started and finished strong with 16 total points. Natalie Pleban found the bottom of the net three times from long range tonight for 9 points. Bradyn Silvasy was held to 2 points while Jayla Cruz had 3. The Comets were led by Kristen Kelley with 17 points.
The Amherst Comets ran out to a 13-3 lead thanks in part to three balls from Kayla Ferancy and Natalie Pleban as the Falcons started the game 0 for 10 from the field. The Firelands Falcons would eventually find their stroke and slowly creep back into the game, cutting the Comet lead to 15-9 after one as Abbey Schmitz caught fire scoring 8 of those points in a row for Firelands. Ferancy led the Comets with 10 of their 15.
The second quarter was all Falcons as they came storming back to take a 22-19 lead into the half as the Comets went cold, only scoring 4 points. It started off well enough for the Comets as Kristen Kelley had a nice scoring drive just seconds into the quarter, however, they would only score two more over the final 7:37 seconds.
The Falcons took advantage of that stretch and proceeded to take things over. Down 17-9, it was go time for the Falcons who would finish the quarter on a furious 13-2 run. Leading the charge was a red hot Abbey Schmitz who scored 16 of her teams 22 in the half.
A couple of Kelley foul shots would help the Comets cut it to 24-23 before a Bella Simmons break away extended the lead back out to 26-23. Simmons was everywhere on the defensive side of the ball tonight making life rough at time for the Comets.
The Comets then trailed 30 – 25 but Abbey Schmitz was out of the game with 3 fouls, and it looked like they would have a chance to close the gap. Instead, it was four straight from the Falcons that helped them open it up to 34-25 for their biggest lead of the game.
The run was once again highlighted by another Falcons steal and run out from Bella Simmons. The Comets would make a run of their own to close out the quarter 6-2 and close the gap to 36-31 after three quarters. Firelands had 6 girls score in the quarter. Also, as the quarter ended, each team was in foul trouble as Amherst had 9 and Firelands had 7.
The Comets cut the Firelands lead to 38-35 midway through the fourth when a Abbey Schmitz foul on Kelley led to some chippiness between the two, and resulted in Kelley then getting Tee’d up. Rounds went to the line and split the deuce to make it 39-35. Moments later it was Hailey Urban attacking the rim and extending the lead to 41-35.
It was then time for Kayla Ferancy to shine once again as she scored 4 straight and made it 41-39 with 4:31 to play. Moments later the Ferancy show would continue as she stole the ball and went the distance to tie it at 41.
A Hailey Urban three point play the hard way would re-give the Falcons the lead right back at 44-41 with a little over two minutes left as both teams hit the double bonus. Urban wasn’t done yet however, and the next time the Falcons touched the ball she made it 46-41. Then moments later, it was Urban yet again, drawing a foul and sinking both from the line to make it 48-41 as Kelley fouled out. For Urban, that made it a 9 point quarter.
Down 49-43 inside of a minute to go, it was Pleban draining her third three of the game to cut it to 49-46 and breathe much needed life into the Comets with 47 seconds to go. Then with 9 seconds to go, it was 50-47 but the Comets had the ball and a chance to tie. Simmons made an incredible play to strip the ball from a Comet and take it in for a layup, sealing the game.
Worst officiating I have seen in a while . But was worse those girls from Amherst up by 10 and then lose the game by 5 . Give Firelands kids and coach credit he made adjustments to help his kids win . On the other hand this is about the 5th game I’ve seen the Amherst coach lose for his kids . He made zero adjustments when Firelands came storming back . Had to point fingers but come on . Get with it way to much talent on this team to lose this many games .
Where did you coach to know so much? I’ve been watching these girls since seventh grade and some of the weaknesses they had then are still there and won’t go away
Joe . I’m not sure if your comment is directed at me but all I’m saying is I watched enough basketball to know that there is 1 basketball when the game starts and a few of the girls never even touch it . It’s a team game and it takes all of them to play together for it to click . I love everything about our Amherst team I just feel like a little better coaching and being more prepared as team will allow them to succeed. And making adjustments when down will allow them to be in it !