Defense may win championships, as they say, but it's often free throws that win the game.
Katie Chuzie and Amber Fox went a combined 5-of-6 from the line in overtime to lead Youngsville to its first Region 3 win of the season - and first in four years - in a 35-32 overtime thriller over Eisenhower on Thursday at Youngsville High School.
The last region win for Youngsville was a 51-37 victory over Iroquois on Jan. 4, 2008.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg
Tough points
Youngsville’s Amber Fox prepares to put in a layup over the outstretched arm of Eisenhower’s Kristen Williams during their high school girls basketball game Thursday at Youngsville High School.
It was the Eagles' (5-4 overall, 1-3 in Region 3) first victory over the Knights (2-6, 1-3) since the 2002-03 season. To put that into perspective, Youngsville's current head coach was a junior on the last team to notch a win over Eisenhower.
"It wasn't the prettiest (game), but the girls are excited," Youngsville coach Allison Kitchel said. "We haven't beat them in a while."
From the start, it was easy to see how evenly matched both teams are. Both came out playing a full-court press defense, and shots were hard to come by in the first quarter. Chuzie got into foul trouble early, picking up two personals in the quarter, but Fox's late three gave Youngsville an 11-8 edge heading into the second.
"When we get in foul trouble, it's hard on us because we don't have a lot of depth," Kitchel said.
Ike's Kristen Williams buried a three early in the second quarter to tie the game at 13-13, and a turnover on the inbounds gave Eisenhower its first lead, 15-13.
Eisenhower was in the bonus for most of the quarter, but the Knights weren't able to convert the free throws into points and took a slim 22-21 lead into halftime.
Chuzie nailed a three early in the third quarter to regain the lead for the Eagles. This time it was the Knights who found themselves in foul trouble and Youngsville was able to push its lead to six - the largest lead either team would have all game - before taking a 30-26 lead into the fourth quarter.
"We knew it would be a battle," Eisenhower coach Mike Logue said. "Both teams are evenly matched."
The Knights held the Eagles without a field goal in the fourth quarter and Halie VanOrd hit a layup to tie the game at 30-30 with just over three minutes to play. Youngsville had a chance to take the lead from the free throw line, but failed to convert, and an errant pass went out of bounds on an Eisenhower fast break opportunity with less than a minute to play to send the game to overtime.
Chuzie went 1-of-2, and Fox 2-or-2 from the line to give Youngsville a 33-30 lead early in the overtime, but Eisenhower hit a field goal to pull within one on its next possession.
Chuzie then made her next two free throws to seal the win for the Eagles.
The Knights finished 3-of-14 from the free throw line for the game, and Logue said they were 3-of-17 in layups in the second half.
"You're not going to win many games shooting 3-of-14 (free throws)," Logue said. "I give the girls credit, though, they didn't give up."
Fox led all scorers with 12 points. Lyndsey Lyon added nine markers and Chuzie finished with seven.
Kristen Williams scored 10 points for the Knights. Alyssa Peterson had six points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
Youngsville won the JV game, 38-21. Kennedy Cratty had 13 points and Karissa Cratty 12 for the Eagles. Meghan Hagberg led the Knights with eight.
EISENHOWER (32): Kristen Williams 4 1-8 10, Alyssa Peterson 3 0-1 6, Halie VanOrd 2 0-0 4, Kari Santo 2 0-2 4, Lyssa Knapp 1 1-1 3, Dakota Williams 1 1-2 3, Brooke Stanton 1 0-0 2, Holly Chapman 0 0-0 0, Totals 14 3-14 32.
YOUNGSVILLE (35): Amber Fox 2 7-8 12, Lyndsey Lyon 4 1-7 9, Katie Chuzie 1 4-6 7, Kennedy Cratty 2 1-2 5, Jorie Clark 1 0-0 2, Jess Jameson 0 0-5 0, Karissa Cratty 0 0-0 0, Totals 10 14-28 35.
Eisenhower 8 14 4 4 2-32
Youngsville 11 10 9 0 5-35
3-pointers: E-K. Williams. Y-Fox, Chuzie.
Junior varsity game
EISENHOWER (21): Meghan Hagberg 3 2-2 8, Danielle Bradish 1 1-6 3, Haylie Birt 1 0-0 3, Kearsten Maine 1 0-0 2, Cassidy Edwards 1 0-0 2, Aysia Peters 0 1-2 1, Bailey Burch 0 0-2 0, Holly Chapman 0 0-0 0, Sierra Lange 0 0-0 0, Chelsea Parmenter 0 0-0 0, Jackie Talasky 0 0-0 0, Kourtney Knapp 0 0-0 0, Totals 7 4-12 21.
YOUNGSVILLE (38): Kennedy Cratty 3 7-8 13, Karissa Cratty 6 0-0 12, Julie Jameson 3 0-0 6, Cierra Ohl 2 0-0 4, Katie Gustafson 0 3-10 3, Piper Olsen 1 0-0 2, Jorie Clark 0 0-0 0, Totals 15 10 18 38.
Eisenhower 4 3 5 9-21
Youngsville 11 14 3 10-38
3-pointers: E-Birt. Y-None.
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Erie Bethel 46, TCCS 26
ERIE - The Tidioute Charter Lady Bulldogs (0-6) showed improvement in a loss, 46-26, against Erie Bethel on Thursday.
The 26 points would be a season high for the Bulldogs as they continue to improve on their game.
"The future is looking promising," said TCCS coach Ted Nuttall. "(Tonight) was encouraging. We are still too sloppy on our passing, but things are looking promising."
Loralee Lindemuth led the Bulldogs offense with 11 points.
"She played a very nice game tonight," said Nuttell.
The Bulldogs will host Iroquois on Saturday.
TCCS (26): Robbi Kitelinger 1 1-3 4, Loralee Lindemuth 5 1-3 11, Lacy Kitelinger 2 2-2 6, Lacy Wolford 0 1-2 1, Tanya Krouse 2 0-0 4, Morgan Molek 0 0-0 0. Team totals 10 5-10 26.
BETHEL (46): P. Collins 11 1-2 27, K. Simmons 2 0-0 4, S. Traveno 3 0-0 6, A. Traveno 2 0-0 4, Augustana 0 0-2 0, West 1 0-0 2. Team totals 19 1-4 46.
Tidioute 4 5 9 8 - 26
Bethel 17 11 10 8 - 46
3-pointers: (T) Robbie Kitelinger 1; (B) Collins 1.