In a week full of wind chills as low as 50 below, the Irish were on the road to Kimball Friday, Jan. 10, for what should’ve been their third game of the week. With two games canceled to start the week, the Irish came determined and prepared.
Despite being undersized, the first half started with Emily Webb winning the jump ball against the Cubs 6’ 5’’ post. Starting a bit rusty on offense, the Irish made it up with their stingy defense. Throughout the game, the Irish got their hands on 20 steals, which led to numerous offensive opportunities, but the girls struggled to convert. Both teams hustled up and down the court, gaining multiple second chances on offense, but they had a hard time getting the ball to drop. The first half closed with the Irish up 9-8.
Rolling into the second half, the Irish and the Cubs came out strong, settling into their offenses. Maple Lake controlled most of the second half and, at one point, led the game 32-23. The Cubs battled back, closing the gap on an 11-2 to force overtime.
In the extra period, the Irish trailed by one with 11 seconds on the clock. After an Irish timeout, the girls set up a quick scoring play, but it broke down, forcing Webb to shoot a 25-foot jump shot that bounced off the rim. Somehow Webb managed to grab her rebound, go up again, get fouled and get sent to the free throw line. Webb made one of her two free throws and, with .6 seconds left on the clock, the girls were forced into another overtime.
More information and stats appear in this week's Messenger.
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