Free throw propels Flames past Lincoln

The Lodi High girls basketball escaped with an important victory on Tuesday with a 1-point victory over Lincoln.

Calista Morita hit a crucial 3-pointer and Ellie Van Tassell hit one of two free throws to break a tie in Lodi’s 39-38 victory, which left the Flames 2-0 in Tri-City Athletic League play.

“Stressful,” Lodi coach Brandon Shea said about the final minute of the game.

Lodi trailed 25-17 at halftime, then a tenacious half on defense left the teams tied with less than a minute remaining.

“Officiating wasn’t he best. It slows a lot of the momentum down, and there was no real flow the entire game,” Shea said. “I think both sides played real well defensively. The girls had to step up and make big shots.”

Morita broke the tie with her 3-pointer, and Lincoln answered with a 3-pointer to tie the game again. With 20 second left, Lincoln drove the court for a last attempt at a shot, and missed. Van Tassell grabbed the rebound, and was fouled in the process. She hit one of two free throws to put the Flames up by a point.

Lincoln had one last possession, and a half-court shot bounced off the front of the rim.

Shea said the defensive effort made the difference.

“All five that were out there, they were moving, had their hands up, they were talking, contesting shots... it was just our movement and getting out there,” She said. “We started

out in man in the first half, and moved to zone in the second, and it helped us out. But they were just playing hard, getting to their spots, getting those deflections and steals.”

Brooke Aberle led Lodi with 13 points, followed by Van Tassell with 10. Marissa Fabian and Morita had six each, Malina Nino had three and Zoe Faulkner had one. The win left the Flames above .500 at 10-9, and 2-0 in league play.

“It’s huge. Knowing the way the league is, it’s pretty balanced,” Shea said. “We’ve got West on Thursday, so we told the girls to enjoy it today, and we’ll get back to work.”