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Parma –
On Super Tuesday at Valley Forge, Brunswick took on Highland to start today’s double header. Brunswick won todays bout after having a rough start in the first quarter as they forced the game into overtime on Super Tuesday. With the news that 1,000 point scorer Journey Hildebrand was out the Blue Devils had to adjust fast.
They Struggled to do so at the start of the game but found their pace at the end as they won in overtime 45-42. Coach Anthony Ocacio said, “losing someone like Journey, other girls had to step up.”
The first quarter belonged to Highland, this was due to their defense only giving up seven points as their offense went on to score 11. Highlands offensive rebounding gave them not just second chance shots but up to five chances on each possession thanks to ability by the Highland guards to chance down the ball.
Brunswick’s slow start was due to a lack of rebounding on either side of the ball as well as not capitalizing on offensive chances. Everyone on Brunswick had a hard time getting to the basket and taking quality chances.
The end of the first quarter Highland led with a score of 11-7 due to Brunswick’s struggles.
The start of the second quarter seemed to be trending on the same direction as Brunswick needed answers quickly after falling to a double-digit lead. The Blue Devils found their answer in Kennedi Neale who out of nowhere got red hot.
Highland held off Brunswick just long enough to get to halftime as they led 23-19.
Brunswick continued the momentum in the third quarter, Lea Holmes and Kennedi Neale dominated the quarter to obtain the first lead of the game late into the third quarter. Highland pieced together a few threes but couldn’t string anything together. Roles reversed compared to the first quarter as momentum had been completely shifted.
At the end of the 3rd quarter Brunswick led with a 34-31 lead.
Highland found their stride once again thanks to a Grace Madison three point shot that put them back in the lead after a Aleena VanKirk two-point shot.
The low scoring continued as the first and only bucket in the fourth quarter came from Holmes as she tied the ball game up. VanKirk hit another bucket to help extend her teams lead as a free throw was added on as insurance with less than a minute left in the game.
Highlands fell into the bonus as all they needed was one last free throw to make the game out of reach with just over 20 seconds left.
As the Highland free throw went short Brunswick put on one last effort to bring the game closer, Lexie Bertemes put the game in her hands as she drove into the lane, as her layup went in a foul was called to send her to the line. Beremes sunk her free throw and sent the game into overtime.
Brunswick got right back on their horse to score first and defend well as secured their victory.
When asked about how his team fought back coach Ocacio said, “Brunswick kids are competitors, they go through walls for their coaches, they get down, they get dirty.” Coach Ocacio’s team did exactly that as they went from down double digits to winning in overtime.
