Long layoff partly to blame for Sharks' triple OT loss
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sacred Heart Academy senior Krystal Watson powers her way underneath the basket against Nardin during the Sharks' 48-44 triple overtime loss in the Monsignor Martin Association semifinals last Thursday at Canisius College's Koessler Athletic Center. Watson finished with 21 points.

Usually a bye in the playoffs is a reward for a team's hard work throughout the season but for the Sacred Heart girls basketball team, it was a nightmare.

The Sharks earned the second seed in this year's Monsignor Martin Association girls playoffs but by the time they faced third-seed Nardin in Thursday's semifinal at Canisius College's Koessler Athletic Center, they hadn't played a game in 15 days.

Sacred Heart lost to Nardin, 48-44, in three overtimes.

Sacred Heart coach Sister Maria Pares said she tried to get scrimmages set up with public schools in the long break but they were either preparing for a sectional game or had already lost in sectionals. In addition, her team wasn't at full capacity for a few of the days because the juniors on the team went on the school's junior trip in Washington, D.C. and when they returned, three of them had the flu.

Pares said the long layoff showed against Nardin.

"Defensively, we were great," said Pares. "Offensively, we couldn't get it going. We were either too fast or too slow. There was no flow."

Sacred Heart had beaten Nardin twice during the regular season but couldn't put away the Gators when it counted the most.

The Sharks led the Gators, 19-16, at halftime, but Nardin junior center Laura Sciarrino canned a free throw with 42.6 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 29-29 and force overtime. Tied 32-32 at the end of the first extra session, Sciarrino was the hero in the second overtime, draining a three-pointer with 21 seconds remaining to tie the game at 41-41 and force a third

''overtime. Nardin hit six threes in the game.

"That was a real backbreaker," said Pares. "She never made a three all year and banked it in."

In the third overtime, Nardin's Erin O'Brien made two free throws with just over 10 seconds remaining to clinch the upset victory.

All 17 of Sacred Heart's baskets came from two-point range. Senior center Krystal Watson dominated the inside, scoring eight baskets and a game-high 21 points. She also grabbed 18 rebounds and handed out three assists.

Senior Liz Tramposch added seven points and three rebounds. Natalie Coppola had five points, five rebounds and three assists.

Sarah O'Brien led Nardin with 12 points.

Usually, the loser of the two MMA semifinal games play in a consolation game to see who would represent Class C at the state semifinals but Pares said the down state diocese only has teams had the AA and A levels.

"I felt bad for this group because I really think they would have done a great job at the state level," said Pares.

Sacred Heart finishes 17-7 and graduates Watson (13.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.3 assists), Sam Arena (7.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.4 steals) and Tramposch. Watson was named to the All-MMA team. Arena was voted to the North Division MMA All-Catholic team.

"All three have done so much for our program," said Pares.

They're going to be missed."

Coppola (6.7 points, 6.8 assists, 6.4 steals, 4.6 rebounds) was also named to the All-MMA team.

Pares said she was disappointed with how the season finished but with nine players returning and probably some kids from the freshmen and JV teams that won league titles, she's excited about next season.

"The future looks bright," said Pares. "I'm happy with the group coming back."