Fisher's last-second bomb lifts GHS over Northview 44-43; Spencer scores 18

Monday, January 7, 2008
Grace Fisher

By CAREY FOX

For the BannerGraphic

BRAZIL -- Coaches like to call them 'senior moments.'

When a player in their final season of high school eligibility creates for themselves, and their team, a moment that both will remember for a long while.

On Saturday, Greencastle's Grace Fisher gave her teammates and herself a memory that'll last for quite some time.

Fisher completed the Tiger Cub's rally from a seven-point deficit against Northview, when she nailed a 3-pointer from the wing with only 6.2 seconds

remaining to give her squad a 44-43 victory on Saturday afternoon.

"Grace has done that two or three times,' commented Tiger Cub coach Glenn Hile. "This is a sign of a team that's getting better. We got a great effort from

everybody. Grace just got the last shot. This is a big win for us," said Hile. "For us to get a win here, well I think this about makes my Christmas break."

That the Tiger Cubs were even in a position to get a chance at a potential game-winner is a testament to the squad's diligence on defense.

Greencastle originally trailed 37-30 after Northview's Abby Birkey sank a 3-pointer with just more than four minutes remaining. But it was there that the Tiger

Cubs sank their teeth into the Knights.

Greencastle forced the first of five consecutive Northview turnovers with a full court press that had the Knights completely flummoxed.

"People ask me why we don't use (the press) all the time," said Hile of the success of his team's pressure. "But we use it when we need it."

Kelsey Hennette scored to get her squad within 37-32 and after a second Northview turnover, Hannah Spencer scored off a rebound. The Knights turned the ball back over under pressure along the sideline and Hennette scored two of her 13 points to get the Tiger Cubs within 37-36. A free throw from Spencer would complete the comeback with 2:52 left in the game.

After coughing up a seven-point lead, the Knights went right back to work as Shelby Colson scored off a put back to give Northview a 39-37 lead. The Tiger Cubs then turned the ball over, one of just nine in the game, and Spring Raines made them pay with two free throws. Following two misses from the free throw line by Becky Grivas, Raines added two more free throws, part of a

23-point afternoon.

"I was kind of afraid to use the press. Raines is a heck of player," commented Hile.

Facing a second significant deficit late in the game, the Tiger Cubs could have rolled over, trailing 43-37 with 1:36 left.

But that's not in their nature.

Spencer began the comeback with two free throws, part of her team-high 18 point day. The turnover bug bit the Knights again after a miss by Grivas and a rebound by Birkey. Northview lost the handle and the Tiger Cubs gained possession before calling timeout with 26.4 seconds left in the game.

Following the break in action, Hennette pulled down a missed shot and was fouled on the rebound. Stepping to the line, the senior hit both free throws to narrow the gap to 43-41 with 15 seconds left.

Greencastle pressured the inbounds play and forced Raines into another turnover. Northview's defense collapsed into the paint leaving Fisher wide open from the side with time dwindling. Fisher calmly took a pass and drilled the 3-pointer to give Greencastle its first lead of the entire game.

The Tiger Cubs then had to hold their collective breath as Raines went the length of the court before her potential game-winning lay-up rolled off the rim.

After his team had won its second straight close game over the weekend, Hile commended his squad's work ethic.

"A game like last night helps," said Hile of a 55-50 win over conference foe Speedway. "Perseverance would be the best way to describe today. This team never gave up. Last year we would have lost that game, but this team just believes it can win."

The win gives Greencastle its fourth straight and improves its overall mark to 7-6 on the season.

Next up for the Tiger Cubs is a home game with Mooresville on Tuesday.

At Northview High School

Greencastle 7 12 10 15 -- 44

Northview 13 10 9 12 -- 43

Greencastle (44) -- Fisher 2-9 0-0 5, Spencer 6-17 6-6 18, O.Miller 0-4 1-2 1, Hennette 4-6 5-6 13, Alspaugh 1-3 1-2 3, M.Miller 0-3 1-2 1, Samuels 1-2 1-2 3, Grivas 0-5 0-2 0, Nobles 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 14-50 15-22 44.

Northview (43) -- Webster 0-4 0-0 0, Kimball 0-0 1-1 1, Sp.Raines 7-18 6-6 22, St.Raines 3-3 0-0 8, Crooks 1-4 1-2 3, Birkey 1-4 0-2 3, Colson 2-4 0-0 4, Sampson 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 15-39 8-11 43.

3-point FG -- GC 2-10 (Fisher 1-4, Spencer 1-3,

Hennette 0-1, Alspaugh 0-1, M.Miller 0-1), Nv 5-11

(Sp.Raines 2-6, St.Raines 2-2, Birkey 1-2, Webster

0-1).

Total Fouls -- GC 10, Nv 17. Fouled out -- Nv (Crooks). Turnovers -- GC 9, Nv 23.

JV game -- Northview wins 23-15.

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