Spencer (OnFocus) – For the second time in as many games, the Abbotsford Falcons valiantly fought back from second half deficits to force overtime, only to fall in the extra period. In Tuesday’s regional quarterfinal, Abbotsford was outscored in the extra frame 12-2 and Spencer picked up a 64-54 win.
On Saturday, the Falcons fought back to force Prentice to overtime before falling, and just like in that game, Abbotsford fought against the odds in pushing the Rockets to the limit.
The game was a low-scoring affair in the early going, with neither team able to get into a groove. The Falcons faced a six point deficit at 12-6 with just under seven minutes remaining before Catie Clement drained a pair of three pointers to knot the game at 12.
The Rockets took a four point lead with baskets by Jorie Meyer and Rebecca Mlsna on consecutive possessions before Abby came right back.
Freshman Sydney Falteisek’s jumper and a pair of free throws by freshman Briseida Escalera with 4 and a half minutes to go tied the game at 16. Spencer then responded in big fashion, and it was time for their senior leader to step up.
Senior guard Heavyn Kind connected on three pointers thirty seconds apart, and her basket with 30 seconds left in the half contributed to a 28-19 Rockets’ halftime lead.
Kind’s basket just four minutes into the second half had the Rockets up by ten, and the situation looked grim for Abbotsford. Foul trouble was becoming an issue for Abby, but Abbotsford’s efforts to come back slowly chipped away at the lead.
Falteisek’s jumper in the lane knotted the game at 40 with 5:13 left, only to see Spencer use a balanced scoring attack to take the lead.
With Kind shut down for much of the second half, Amber Becker, Faith Miller and Rebecca Mlsna put the Rockets ahead by five, 48-43, with just 1:39 left. The Rockets’ lead appeared to be safe and a berth in the regional semifinals all but certain.
Not so fast, said the Falcons, and it was Falteisek that came up with a pair of big plays. She stole the ball and made a layup with 1:04 left. Fouled in the process, her three point play brought Abby to within two at 48-46.
Spencer came right back, however, and held a 52-50 lead before Abbotsford came up with another big play. With the ball under their own basket wit ten seconds left, Escalera and Falteisek teamed up on an inbounds play they had executed flawlessly countless times throughout their middle school days.
Escalera found an open Falteisek in the paint as time wound down, and the 52-all game was headed to overtime.
Overtime was all Spencer, however, with Kind connecting on five three-pointers to lead Spencer’s domination in the extra period.
Kind led all scorers with 22 points, coming up big in overtime, making 5 free throws.
Amber Becker chipped in with 13 points for Spencer.
Falteisek had 17 points for Abbotsford, 14 in the second half.
Catie Clement and Alea Graff added 10 points apiece for the Falcons.
| 1 | 2 | OT | F | |
| Abbotsford | 19 | 33 | 2 | 54 |
| Spencer | 28 | 24 | 12 | 64 |
Abbotsford (54) Brissa Diaz-Miranda 7, Mya Ruesch 4, Catie Clement 10, Briseida Escalera 4, Sydney Falteisek 17, Sommer Brodhagen 2, Alea Graff 10
Spencer (64) Madison Knecht 3, Zalexis Mannigel 6, Jorie Meyer 5, Heavyn Kind 22, Rebecca Mlsna 9, Amber Becker 13, Faith Miller 2
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
