4A DII Sub State Girls Semi Final = Jeff West 48, Holton 44 in Overtime

It was the third meeting between Holton and Jeff West on the year with each team winning on the other's home court.  Holton, hosting this substate, came in as the #3 seed and were the visitors on the scoreboard where Jeff West was the #2 seed. Winner set to face Hayden, who defeated Rock Creek 62-33 earlier in the night, on Saturday for a chance to go to the State Tournament next weekend in Emporia.

Holton started things off quickly with Courtney Boswell (Farmers State Bank player to bank on) hitting a three-pointer in the games first minute while applying full court pressure against the Tigers. Holton's lead grew as much as 9-2 in the first quarter before Jeff West's Alyssa Garza scored the games next 4 points to close out the first frame. Jeff West Head Coach John Malloy got the attention of his team between quarters, especially his 6'4 forward, Mariah Murdie. Murdie's aggressive play in the second quarter served to be as a spring board for the Tigers as they exploded for 16 points in the second quarter while their defense tightened, only allowing 5 points for the Wildcats and heading to the halftime break leading 22-14. Murdie led all scorers with 8 points in the first half and 6 of those coming in the second quarter during a 10-2 Tiger run to end the half.

Coming out of the halftime break, both Malloy and Jon Holiday (Holton) preached defense as during the 8 minute third quarter only a combined 10 points were scored, and Holton still trailed heading to the final quarter 26-20. Something clicked, and you could feel it in the atmosphere as Holton slowly had grabbed all momentum to begin the 4th quarter. Holton went on an 8-2 run to open the frame to tie the game up for the first time since the second quarter when they were locked at 28-28.

Coach Malloy called a full timeout following Holton's tying bucket with 5:58 left in regulation. Murdie came out of the timeout and made a field goal to give the Tigers the lead yet again, and the defense was cranked up for both squads the rest of the way.

Holton would trail all they way until the 1:26 mark left in regulation following a turnover by the Tigers, Shay Tanking would go coast to coast to give the 'Cats the lead 35-34. Alyssa Garza would answer with an offensive put back for Jeff West with :30 left and Holiday called his final timeout. The 'Cats were unable to get an offensive set as senior forward, Mackenzie Moore was called for a traveling violation to give the ball right back to the Tigers. Holton would then foul Mariah Murdie who put Jeff West back in
front 38-35 with Holton needing a three. Shay Tanking dribbled off of a ball screen set by Mackenzie Moore to shoot the potential game-tying three pointer and was just off the mark with the Tigers' Faith Becker grabbing the rebound and fouled immediatley. It was Holton's 9th team foul, and Becker went to the line to shoot the 1 and 1 with 6.2 seconds remaining. Becker's free throw rimmed out
and rebounded by Tanking who found senior guard Sarah Sweet 30ft from the basket. Sweet's heave at the buzzer fell in for the 'Cats to force overtime tied 38-38.

Jeff West continued their dominance on the defensive side of the ball and made their free throw opportunities count. All 10 overtime points for Jeff West came from the charity stripe as the Tigers went on to win 48-44 and will face Hayden at 6:00 Saturday in Holton.

Holton-9|5|6|18|6--44

Jeff West-6|16|4|12|10--48

(Holton) Boswell 17, Tanking 10,M. Moore 5, Sweet 4, Thompson 4, Lierz 4

(Jeff West) Murdie 18, Garza 12, Becker 7, Negonsott 6, Metzger 5