Girls Basketball: Rich South Topples Bloom in OT, Claims at Least a Share of Conference Crown

The Hot Read: The stakes were high for Tuesday night’s contest. It was a rubber match between Rich South and host Bloom, and more importantly, it was a battle of the top two teams in the Southland Athletic Conference. With only one conference game left after Tuesday night, the winner would be well on its way to being crowned conference champion.

Bloom jumped out to an early lead and held it throughout the game. The Blazing Trojans led 12-10 after the first quarter, 22-18 at halftime and 32-25 after the third quarter. The team was playing well, led by junior guard Breanna Perry and sophomore center Bria Gaines. However, Rich South fought back in the fourth quarter and tied the game at 44 when junior guard Kiela Garner scored in the lane with 22 seconds to play. Bloom turned the ball over on its next possession, and Rich South sophomore guard DeAsia Garrett missed a jumper on the Lady Stars’ next possession to send the game into overtime. Rich South had three steals in a row to start overtime, which lead to six straight points, and the Lady Stars never looked back.

Patch’s MVP: Rich South junior guard Kiela Garner (23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals). Garner led the Rich South comeback, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter. Also, she scored the biggest basket of the night, tying the score with 22 seconds to play in regulation.

Key Stats: Bloom had trouble handling the Rich South pressure and had 25 turnovers. Rich South had 14 steals.

Rich South’s Leaders: In addition to Garner, senior forward Jasmine Collins (12 points, 7 rebounds), sophomore guard CiErra Garrett (5 points, 6 assists) and sophomore guard DeAsia Garrett (8 points, 8 steals).

Bloom’s Leaders: Sophomore center Bria Gaines (12 points, 18 rebounds), junior guard Breanna Perry (13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists) and senior guard Angenay Williams (11 points, 3 assists).

Quotable: Rich South coach Brian Mays, on his team’s lack of size compared to Bloom: “Pressuring the ball was our key. Get on the ball because once they get it in to Bria (Gaines), that’s a problem. We have to get up and pressure the basketball.”

Bloom coach Marc Lopez, on his team’s turnovers: “(We had) 25 turnovers. That plays right into their hands …We knew if we could control the ball and relax on offense we would be fine, but we didn’t make them defend.”

Team’s Records: Rich South: 19-5, 8-1 in the Southland Athletic Conference. Bloom: 16-7, 7-2 in the SAC.

What’s Next: Bloom hosts Crete-Monee on Thursday in its final SAC game. Rich South hosts Rich East on Wednesday in its final SAC game.