by Alejandro Danois

In a match-up of the IAAM C Conference’s top two teams, Catholic High defeated Park School, 39-33, in a thrilling overtime contest Friday evening behind the stellar play of senior Adrianne Williams and sophomore Meghan Skrynecki. The Bruins (11-2 overall, 10-1 league) walked into the Catholic gym undefeated in league play and previously beaten the Cubs, 41-25, earlier in the season.

“They blew us out the last time we played and we had a lot of motivation and something to prove,” said Catholic point guard Kieona Wallace.

Williams’ two free throws with 1 minute, 30 seconds remaining in overtime pushed the Cubs (9-6, 8-3) ahead, 36-30, before Claire Ellwanger, who had 13 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots, responded with a three-pointer to keep Park within striking distance. But the Bruins could not convert on their remaining scoring opportunities.

Catholic freshman guard Lindsay Torbeck forced overtime with a three-pointer, tying the game at 28. From the outset, Catholic played with controlled aggression, executing an active press that stifled Park’s normal offensive continuity.

“They took it to us and they were the more aggressive team,” said Park coach Kevin Coll.

Williams, who played a spectacular all-around game with nine points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and seven steals, set the defensive tone early on, contesting shots and snatching rebounds against Park’s taller, imposing frontcourt of Ellwanger and Dawn Lee, who combined to score all but one of the Bruins points.

“My shots weren’t falling early on so I tried to pick up the slack by playing some heavy defense and hustling,” said Williams. “They were undefeated and we’d lost to them by more than fifteen points before but we played with a positive attitude and were determined to get every rebound and loose ball.”

Lee’s lay up to open the second half gave park their first lead of the game, but the Cubs maintained their composure behind the steady point guard play of Wallace. With 2:20 remaining in regulation, Lee - who dominated the paint with 19 points and 12 rebounds – scored to put Park ahead, 28-25. Torbeck answered with the clutch three-pointer on the next possession to force the extra session.

“We didn’t play like we normally do and we weren’t trapping, pressing and rotating properly and that’s because Catholic came out and played so hard,” said Coll. “They’re a very good team.”

Williams’ blocked shot late in the first quarter, which she rejected forcefully into the stands, was indicative of Catholic’s defensive pressure and intensity. Though the Cubs were ahead on hustle points, they only led 6-4 after one quarter. Catholic led, 16-11, in the second half before a furious Park offensive rally, led by Ellwanger and Lee, knotted the score at 18 at halftime.

Skrynecki finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds, Torbeck added eight points and eight rebounds, and Kaitlyn Ratych chipped in with eight rebounds for the Cubs.
    
“We scouted their tendencies in the past few weeks and put in some specific variations in our defense to try to take away their power players, who are very good,” said Catholic coach Sandy Rectenwald. “This was our third game in three days and we had a chance to practice what we wanted to do in live situations.”