Girls Basketball: Fenwick races past Neuqua Valley

Updated: January 14, 2012 10:57PM

Yale-bound center Meredith Boardman was on the receiving end of a three-quarter court inbound pass from teammate Maya Garland and Boardman easily made a lay up in the final seconds of the third quarter on Saturday night.

Boardman made it look easy beating the buzzer compared to the frantic pace for both teams throughout the game.

When the dust settled, No. 13 Fenwick got past No. 12 Neuqua Valley 72-64 in the McDonalds Shootout at Willowbrook.

Maggie Reilly led the Friars (13-4) with career-best 22 points and dropped in six three-pointers, Boardman added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Jade Owens chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds. While, Wildcats sophomore Amarah Coleman also had career-best 23 points.

Boardman’s buzzer beater gave Fenwick a nine-point advantage at the time.

“We trust each other and I knew she could do it,” said Boardman, which was the first time they were able to make it work. “That’s our objective to get a perefect pass for a lay up.”

But, the frantic pace left Fenwick wondering why they were the team up at the break 37-34 since the last game they played was at Dundee-Crown 15 days ago. Neuqua Valley appeared to have the better of the play for the first half.

“I thought we might lay an egg, because it’s been a while,” Fenwick coach Dave Power said. “I felt at halftime, I couldn’t believe we had the lead. I feel if we hit 80, it’s hard for other teams to beat us.”

Neuqua Valley (15-3) created an early lead in the third quarter with five straight points for a 39-34 lead. Fenwick responded with a 25-8 run that was capped off with Reilly’s three-pointer which put the Friars up 62-47 with 5:05 left in the game.

“We like to run the court and hopefully some one is open to shoot,” said Reilly of her three-pointers. “If I make the first shot then the rest of them will also go in.”

The Wildcats tried to make a push back at the Friars down the stretch but couldn’t get closer then the final outcome.

“Both teams liked the frantic pace and that’s our styles,” Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams said. “If you do that you have to finish. Right now, our troubles are free throws and lay ups. Good teams will have a way to catch up to you.”

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