WARDSVILLE, Mo.-- For the second straight year the game between the California Pintos girls team (17-7) and the Blair Oaks Falcons (19-6) went down to the final seconds. This year, it was the Pintos who came up just short, as they lost the Falcons 45-44, Feb. 14.
The difference in the game was one free throw made by Blair Oaks with only a few seconds left in the game that gave them the 45-44 lead. The Falcons then missed the second free throw.
But California was unable to secure the rebound with enough time for one last good look at the bucket before the final buzzer.
The game was close throughout the evening. But the fourth quarter was extremely tight, as both teams played great defense throughout the quarter.
The Pintos entered the fourth quarter down one point, with the score 38-37. Neither team scored in the final quarter, until Makayla Schanzmeyer gave the Pintos a 39-38 lead with just over four minutes left in the game. Blair Oaks tied the game later at 40-40 before taking a 44-40 lead with 28 seconds left.
California made it a 44-42 game, before getting the ball right back by forcing a turnover, as Blair Oaks was unable to inbound the ball with 19 seconds left. After a timeout, Schanzmeyer tied the game for California at 44-44.
Head Coach Bobby Sangster said the team focused on playing solid defense in the final seconds of the game.
In the first quarter, the Pintos led Blair Oaks 14-11. The Pintos led by eight points at one point in the game with the score 11-3 halfway through the first quarter. The Falcons were able to end the quarter on a 8-3 run.
In the second quarter, the game remained a one-possession game with both teams being neck-and-neck the whole quarter. California entered half-time up one point at 23-22.
In the third quarter, the Pintos trailed 27-25, before Gracie George made a three-point play to give the Pintos a 28-27 lead. California then added to that lead, as they made it a 35-30 game. California would then make it a 37-30 game with around two minutes to play before Blair Oaks ended the quarter on a buzzer-beater to take 38-37 lead to finish an 8-0 run.
The Pintos had a good game rebounding the ball, as they had seven offensive rebounds in the game.
"I think (rebounding) was everything," Sangster said. "Right there, we get what we wanted, (Blair Oaks) misses a free throw and we can't find a way to get away with a rebound. We knew going in that Blair Oaks lives off of offensive boards and extra possessions and for them to get that extra possession right there made it really tough on us.
"But I was really proud with how the girls executed and got the job done the best they could."
This was the third straight loss for the Pintos.
Makayla Schanzmeyer led the team with 13 points. Gracie George scored 12 points and Hailey Cain had seven.
Sangster said the way the team played in a tough arena is good for the team.
"Blair Oaks is a really good ball club; I hope that we keep the faith. I hope we keep believing in what we are doing.
"This is a really tough place to play and to come down here and play a ball game like this is good for us," Sangster said. "We've got to learn that now, there is no second chance; now there is no looking back - no more learning from the last one and moving forward to the next one.
"We have to grow up in a hurry and we have to do the best we can. And, if not, then it is going to be a real short rest of the year."