It was a difficult night for the local favorite in one of the girls division. The senior-laden squad was attempting to make its first trip to the semi-finals in Amherst; however, it was not to be. In a most painful fashion, the girls fell to one of the (as usual) well-coached and well-disciplined squads from the Berkshires. The local favorites had the height and experience and led most of the game; however, they never could pull away from the fine shooters on the Berkshire squad, which eventually knotted the score with two minutes to play. In what turned out to be the game-winning basket, a girl from the visiting team drained a 15-foot jumper as the shot-clock expired for a 2-point lead with less than a minute to play. A jump-ball call on the ensuing possession turned the ball over, and the leading scorer for the game canned two free throws for the 58 to 54 win. Unfortunate for the hometown girls, because they broke down. Tears were flowing in a game neither deserved to lose. I will only say I completely understand their feelings: to work so hard towards a goal and have it in your grasp, only to watch it slip away in front of your eyes. At least kids rebound quicker from disappointments than old men reliving past glories. Still(!), the sight of them on the floor in agony with water running from their eyes.... sigh
For the record, I prefer the girls' games to the boys, and not because I'm some sort of closet pervert. I prefer the girls because I view their game as the purest form of basketball. They are just as physical, work just as hard, want to win just as much, and are on the floor mixing it up as much as the boys. If you doubt me, well, you haven't seen a girls' high-school basketball game. Then add stellar play with several skills and I'm not kidding, some of these girls are talented and I've seen some greats over the years.
Anyhow, I found out later that the other girls' team from the county lost (in overtime) out west; however, that does set up a good match-up in one semi-final next week: the undefeated and reigning division champions in a rematch of last year's final (unfortunately, the opponent lost their best player to a dislocated kneecap tonight. Ouch!). The second semi is the team I saw win tonight against a Cinderella 10 seed.
Meanwhile, I was disappointed that the region's all-time leading scorer was knocked out! I was looking forward to seeing her last game and cheering loudly her final exit, but no more. They were destined for a loss anyway; reigning champ has won that division 15 of last 20 seasons -- including 10 of 11 stretch and 5 of last 6. They are sort of considered the region's Boston Celtics.
Well, tomorrow night it is the boys' quarter-finals. I'll be heading over the river for the intra-county contest. At least one regional team will move to the semis down south. Boys' team from the other night will be out west in the Berkshires in a tough match-up against last year's finalist. Will report back on those results either tomorrow night or Saturday morning.
