Elusive win for Freeport comes in OT
Free throws help Yellow Jackets top Elizabeth Forward
It might have taken some extra time, but Freeport finally was able to notch its first playoff win since 2003.
The No. 7-seeded Yellow Jackets (14-9) posted a 5650 overtime victory Saturday against No. 10-seeded Elizabeth Forward (12-11) at Fox Chapel.
“It is a testament to these girls and their hard work,” Freeport coach Fred Soilis said. “We were down at halftime and early in the second half. They didn’t give up.
The Yellow Jackets eventually took the lead, but the Warriors tied the score with nine seconds left with two free throws to send it into overtime.
Ironically, it was free throws that was the strength of the Yellow Jackets all game. They finished 17 of 27 and were 7 of 10 in overtime.
The Warriors had no answer for Jenna Manke, who finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
“I thought we had the advantage with our inside presence,” Soilis said. “Jenna just took control of the inside game.”
More Class 4A games
Beaver 47, Deer Lakes
28: Junior Bella Possett nearly outscored her opponents, scoring a game-high 25 points as the No. 5 Bobcats (16-5) defeated the No. 12 Lancers (10-12) at North Hills. Beaver took advantage of its size and physicality, going 14 of 26 from the freethrow line. Deer Lakes had three players foul out in the game.
South Park 66, Burrell 44: In the final game of her high school career, Burrell’s Eliza Oswalt reached 1,000 points in a loss against No. 6 South Park (15-8) at North Hills. Oswalt finished her career with 1,005 points for the Buccaneers (9-14). Maura Huwalt led the Eagles with 21 points and 10 rebounds. It was South Park’s fifth win in its past six games.
Central Valley 49, Mount Pleasant 32: Despite shooting only 44 percent ( 19 of 43) from the free-throw line, the No. 8 Warriors (15-7) easily defeated the No. 9 Vikings (12-10) at Peters Township. Christine Frye led the Warriors with 16 points. It was their first playoff win since 2013. The Vikings now have lost in the first round three consecutive years.
Class 1A games
Rochester 74, Eden Christian 26: Julia Sabbio scored a career-high 24 points, including four 3-pointers to lead the No. 5 Rams (14-7) past the No. 12 Warriors (1-17) at Sewickley Academy. The win is the fourth consecutive for the Rams and second this month against the Warriors.
St. Joseph 68, Avella 33: The No. 6 Spartans (16-7) continued their hot streak by winning for the 10th time in 11 games with a victory against the No. 11 Eagles (11-12) at Fox Chapel. Alex Jones led the Spartans to their first playoff win since 2013 with 19 points.
Geibel Catholic 47, Clairton 29: The No. 7 Gators (10-11) picked up their first playoff win in nearly a decade against the No. 10 Bears (7-16) at Baldwin. Grace Nowicki led the Gators with 19 points. Clairton was coming off a winless record a season ago and made its first playoff appearance since 2012.
Sewickley Academy 43, Jefferson-Morgan 29: The No. 9 Panthers (11-12) won their first playoff game since 2005 by defeating the No. 8 Rockets (10-13) at North Allegheny. Theresa Wilson led the way with 13 points. The Panthers also defeated the Rockets, 36-26, Dec. 30.