The Sanborn Central/Woonsocket Blackhawks fell just shy of the state championship Saturday night, 44-49, as they fought back from a three-quarter-long deficit to force defending champion Warner into overtime.
The Lady Blackhawks trailed throughout the game by no more than seven points before battling their way back each time to nearly grasp the lead, before Warner would again spread the gap.
Warner started out the fourth quarter scoring two, to put the Monarchs up by seven. But the Blackhawks came back again, scoring the next five points, including Marissa Weber’s third three-pointer.
The Lady Monarchs again answered with four more to put their lead at six with less than three minutes to play.
Down, but not out, the girls of SCW came back within two points after a Morgan Selland free throw and a Myah Selland three-point shot with a minute and a half in regulation.
After Warner missed a couple chances to score, a field goal by Shelby Selland tied the game at 38 with 20 seconds to go. A timely Warner double-dribble put the ball back in the Hawks’ hands for the chance to win it in regulation, but a long three by Myah Selland with one second left fell short, sending the game into overtime.
Both teams came out in OT with renewed vigor, but the ball just wouldn’t fall through the hoop for the Hawks, while the Monarchs scored 11 more.
The Blackhawks got an outstanding performance out of freshman Myah Selland, with 26 points, including two three-pointers. Marissa Weber added up 11 points, nine of those points coming from behind the three-point line.
Shelby Selland fought a double-team all night for four points, including the critical two to tie the game. She also had 10 rebounds. Morgan Selland added on three points and three assists.
The Blackhawks committed 20 fouls to Warner’s 11 and were outrebounded 27 to 34. SCW had five steals and 13 turnovers. Warner stole the ball 10 times, had two blocked shots and 11 turnovers.
Warner shot 15-of-37 for 41 percent from the field and 17-of-27 for 63 percent from the line.
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket shot 17-of-47 for 36 percent from the field and 5-of-11 from the free throw line.
The Lady Blackhawks ended their extraordinary 2013-14 season 24-2 and the State Class “B” Runners-Up.