The girls basketball team won a thriller Tuesday night. The Wildcats came from behind to defeat Palmyra-Eagle 31-30 in the opening round of the WIAA state tournament Division 3, Sectional 4 Regionals.
In the first quarter, Palmyra-Eagle used a man-to-man defense and then switched to a 1-3-1 defense to flummox the Wildcats. The Panthers were leading 11-0 with less than two minutes left in the quarter. Palmyra-Eagle’s senior Lauren Roscizewski led the Panthers to their large lead with a two-point shot and a three-point shot for 5 points in the period. Sophomore DaNae Giese sank a three-pointer; sophomore Lexi Lovell had 2 points and senior Caitlyn Rautscaw had 1 point for the Panthers. USM freshman Kendall Youngblood sank a shot to make it 11-2 before the quarter came to an end.
USM head coach Coach Ben Filzen put it directly, “We were down 11-2 at the end of the first quarter, but I never had any doubt in the kids. It was very refreshing. We told the girls before the game that if things don't go well, we'll figure things out by halftime.”
The Wildcats listened to their coaches, stayed calm in the face of adversity, and rallied in the second quarter. They pulled within range by outscoring Palmyra-Eagle 12-7 in the second eight minutes. Junior Alexis Lindsey and Youngblood each scored 4 points to lead the USM comeback in the quarter.
Coach Filzen commented, “Alexis gave us the spark we needed that quarter. She started attacking the basket and she either got fouled or made the shot. At times they'd stop her, but Kendall picked up the slack and had some nice moves and shots to get us close by halftime.” Freshman Amber Baker helped the USM cause with 2 free throws, and junior Maddy Glaeser also scored 2 points. Giese had 5 points on a two point shot and a three point shot, and sophomore Kristen Watts sank a field goal for Palmyra-Eagle.
The third quarter was back and forth as each team scored 6 points. The Panthers got three points from Rautsaw, 2 points from Lovell, and 1 point from Giese. Glaeser scored 4 points for USM, and Youngblood added 2 points.
The score stood at Palmyra-Eagle 24, USM 20 entering the final quarter. It was clear that the game would end as a close one and the tension mounted to see which team would pull off the victory.
The fourth quarter started with the Panthers making a basket to go up by 6 points. One or two possessions later USM junior Catie Downey was fouled on a three-point attempt. Downey stepped to the line. As cool as the ice on a winter pond, Downey made all three free throws. Filzen said, “I give Catie credit. She got up there and knocked down those free throws to get us within striking distance. She was sick yesterday and missed practice and was feeling bad before the game, but she still knocked them down.”
USM’s defense was solid from there on. The Wildcats allowed only 2 more field goals, and they did not commit fouls.
Then it was the Maddy Glaeser show. She scored USM’s final 8 points. She made a free throw to put USM within two. The Panthers then went ahead 30-24, but the Wildcats weren’t about to give up. Glaeser made a shot underneath and was fouled. She made the free throw, and USM was within three points. Filzen called time-out with about three minutes left. As he described it, “We drew up a play, and I told the girls to crash the boards and do whatever it takes to get the ball.” USM took a shot and the rebound skittered through several hands. Glaeser finally controlled with it. She put up another shot, scored, and was fouled. She made the free throw to tie the game at 30. With about two minutes left, Glaeser was fouled again trying to shoot. She made the second free throw to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 31-30. The Panthers were suddenly desperate but were unable to score. The victory went to USM.
In the game Giese led Palmyra-Eagle with 11 points. Rocizewski had 7 points; Rautsaw had 6 points; Lovell had 4 points and Watts had 2 points. Glaeser had 14 points for USM. Youngblood added 8 points; Lindsey had 4 points; Downey had 3 points and Baker had 2 points for the winners.
The game ended Palmyra-Eagle’s season. The Panthers final record was 0-22. The victory gave USM a 6-16 record. The Wildcats continue Regional play at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11th when they play Dominican High School on Dominican’s court.
