Abbotsford defeats Bluejays 54-49 in overtime

By Nathaniel Underwood

The improvement that the Abbotsford girls’ basketball team has had since the beginning of the season was on display last Thursday night, when they hosted Athens for a Marawood-North matchup. After suffering a 54-22 loss to the Bluejays in their season opener, the Falcons demonstrated how far they’ve come since that first game, not just keeping pace with their conference rivals but coming out victorious in an overtime thriller.

Abbotsford outscored the Bluejays 9-4 in extra time to take home the 54-49 victory. After both teams held their opponents scoreless over the first few possessions of overtime, Celia Schindler gave the Falcons the lead with a strong drive to the basket, finishing at the rim and collecting a foul for her trouble. The junior sank the following free throw and Marilyn Hammock was able to convert on her own three-point play moments later, turning a steal into a fast break basket and making the free throw after being fouled on the shot.

The pair of clutch plays put Abbotsford ahead 51-46 and while Athens was able to answer with their own basket on the next possession, two free throws each from Schindler and Riley Podevels kept the Bluejays at bay. Solid defense from the Falcons held the visitors to just a single free throw the rest of the way as they claimed their third victory of the season.

The home team was more effective on offense over the course of the evening, shooting 33.3 percent from the field and making 40.5 percent of their two-point shots. Meanwhile, Athens held a shooting percentage of just 19.4 percent. However, a plethora of shooting fouls called on the Falcons gave Athens plenty of free throw opportunities. While the Bluejays made just over 50 percent of their shots from the charity stripe, they were afforded 42 such shots over the course of the contest, leading to 22 points for the visitors.

Neither team held more than a two possession lead over 36 minutes of regulation play. A 4-0 start for the Bluejays was answered by a 10-1 run for the Falcons, highlighted by a pair of threes from Schindler. Athens then went on to score 11 straight points, taking their largest lead of the contest at 16-10.

While the Bluejays maintained their advantage for most of the half, Abbotsford kept themselves within striking distance before making a move at the end of the half. Down 21-16, Podevels worked herself open for a transition basket against the Athens press, triggering a 9-1 run for the Falcons to close out the half. Another transition basket for Podevels knotted up the game at 22-22 and Azalea Atkinson worked an offensive rebound into a layup and subsequent free throw to give the home team a 25-22 lead heading into halftime.

A three from Azul Diaz early in the second period earned Abbotsford their largest lead yet at 30-24, but a 9-2 stretch for the Bluejays shifted the momentum once again. The Falcons weren’t finished yet, however, and a pair of free throws courtesy of Hammock tied the game at 38-38 a few minutes later. Breaking down the Athens’ press once again, Campbell Brodhagen put Abbotsford ahead with less than six minutes left in the contest.

Another transition basket for Brodhagen gave the home team a five point lead with three minutes left, but Athens managed to score the final five points of regulation to force overtime. While the Falcons left some points off the board with some missed free throws in extra time, they did enough offensively while holding the Bluejays to just four points over the entire period.

Podevels and Hammock co-led the team in scoring, both putting up 11 points in the win. Podevels added seven rebounds and four steals while Hammock had five rebounds and six deflections.

Schindler also finished in double-digits, ending the game with 10 points. She also led the team in rebounds, collecting eight, and had four blocks on defense. Brodhagen had eight points, Atkinson finished with five points and Diaz added four. Nevaeh Treankler collected five rebounds, four steals and three points and Asia Atkinson had five rebounds, five deflections, and two points.

Abbotsford will be back in action on Thursday, Jan. 23 when they travel to Prentice to take on the Buccaneers. The last time the two squads met, Prentice was able to come out on top, dealing the Falcons a 48-39 defeat. The game is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. start.

FLOATER ON THE BASELINE - Asia Atkinson pulls up for a shot in the Falcons’ overtime win over Athens.

STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD

FAST BREAK BASKET - Marilyn Hammock gets two of her 11 points against the Bluejays.

STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD