Free Throws Brush Aside Harrison Comeback

Clutch late free throw shooting from the Valhalla Vikings held off a valiant Harrison comeback attempt late as the Husky girls basketball team dropped their season-opener 32-29 Monday night in Valhalla.

Great Viking defense built a 27-11 lead through three quarters. The Huskies were out of rhythm for most of the game, managing only two points in the first quarter. Injuries and foul trouble played a part in Harrison's first half woes, but credit also goes to the Vikings, who played near perfect defense.

"I normally don't make excuses, but I was concerened that this was our first game and their third game," said Harrison Head Coach Ervin Braun. "I knew we would come out a little slow—that slow I was a little shocked by."

By the fourth quarter Valhalla seemed to have put the game out of reach, but the Vikings accounted for everything except the superior perimeter shooting of Harrison freshman Jordan Valentzas.

Valentzas scored only five points in the first three quarters, but took it upon herself to will the Huskies back into the game down the stretch. She often found herself open on the arc and hit a handful of three-point baskets to bring Harrison back into the game.

The sudden outpour of offense appeared to awaken Harrison's defense, which held the Vikings without a point in the quarter until the final 90 seconds when the Huskies were forced to foul. The improvement was largely thanks to Harrison's full-court pressure that Braun installed late in the game.

"They started full-court pressing us. I can't say that we panicked but they just started playing more aggressive and I think they put a little more pressure on us and they started trapping the ball," said Valhalla Head Coach Steve Boyer. "I have to do a better job of handling the pressure and showing the girls what they need to do."

But the Harrison comeback was thwarted by clutch Viking free throw shooting. Valhalla finished the evening a near perfect seven for eight from the charity stripe while Harrison was a dismal five for 21. Leading the way for Valhalla was Jade Fumarelli who was four of four from the line in the final minute, icing the three point win.

"Girls basketball is all about making foul shots, it's amazing that we shot so poorly, its almost scary," Braun said. "I tell the girls all the time that there (are) going to be nights that you're not going to hit shots, but no matter what every night is a night that you can play hard defense—and think about it—we held the other team to 32 points so we accomplished our defensive goals."

Valentzas led the scoring for Harrison, nailing four three point shots and finishing the game with 15 points. Fumarelli was the top scorer for Valhalla with 13.

The Huskies (0-1) will play their home-opener Wednesday against Westlake while the Vikings (2-1) will travel to Pleasantville.