FARMINGTON -- With Golden Goblins clouding the basket the Lady Cardinals discovered a silver lining outscoring Harrison 11-4 in overtime to win a 5A West girls basketball game on Feb. 10.
The 41-34 overtime final showcased Farmington's resilience during a battle for survival.
"What an interesting game," said Farmington coach Brad Johnson. "I have to give a lot of credit to Harrison. They had a good game plan both offensively and defensively, but I'm super, super proud of our kids showing the mental toughness to play through that. We missed a lot of shots we normally make and we had a tough night at the free-throw line."
Farmington's offensive output totaled 21 points through the first three quarters and the Lady Cardinals trailed by six to start the fourth quarter. Sophomore point guard Tayton Hopkins scored seven points in the fourth including a pivotal game-tying 3-point play and the score remained deadlocked at 30-30 for the last 1:09 of regulation. Harrison played for one shot trying to win at the buzzer but Briley Due missed in front of the rim after dribbling right to left across the lane. Taylor Smith rebounded for Farmington and time expired.
As the bonus period began Harrison's Taylor Tate was able to get into the paint and use her height to score over Tayton Hopkins, but Kristi DuChanois answered with a crossover dribble transferring the basketball to her left hand and making a layup. DuChanois scored another go-ahead bucket after clearing an offensive rebound, finding Tayton Hopkins and getting the ball back. Due put Harrison's last points on the board with 2:14 remaining in overtime as she executed a fake pass and scored going to the rack.
Sixteen seconds later Smith had a 3-point shot go in and bounce out. Then Tate launched an airball from beyond the arc which Trish O'Connell rebounded. On offense Farmington went right back to Smith and she didn't hesitate, busting a trifecta for a 37-34 Farmington lead and establishing momentum. Going the other way Due got off another layup attempt but couldn't score and O'Connell once more rebounded this time pushing the ball up the floor and drawing a double-bonus trip to the line.
O'Connell made 4 of 4 foul shots to seal the game and Farmington prevailed, 41-34.
"They hung their hat on defense and gave ourselves a chance defensively to win the game," Johnson said. "We made enough plays to win. It's the mark of a good team to find a way to win when you're having a tough night."
Despite her heroics Smith was not going to accept any personal glory.
"I thank God for letting me play in this building and giving me the opportunity. I was hoping the first [overtime 3-point attempt] would go in and I had the feeling the second would go in. Again, I thank God. He's the one who got me through this night. He gave me everything."
Farmington 41, Harrison 34 Overtime
Harrison 10 7 10 3 4 -- 34
Farmington 9 5 7 9 11 -- 41
Harrison: Briley Due 2 0-0 4, Karleigh Akers 2 0-0 4, Taylor Tate 3 3-4 10, Morgan Clemence 4 0-0 9, Tiffany Brisco 0 0-0 0, Sydney Allgeier 2 0-0 5, Meredith Lindsey 0 2-2 2. Totals 13 5-6 34.
Farmington: Kristi DuChanois 4 0-7 8, Maria McPherson 1 1-2 3, Tahlon Hopkins 2 0-0 4, Tayton Hopkins 2 4-7 8, Trish O'Connell 2 7-10 12, Taylor Smith 2 0-0 6, Tori Hamley 0 0-1 0. Totals 13 12-27 41.
3-point goals -- Harrison 3 (Clemence, Tate, Allgeier). Farmington 3 (Smith 2, O'Connell).
Sports on 02/18/2015