The first overtime game of the tournament occurred Wednesday morning as Myers Park (N.C.) nipped Grainger’s Lady Grizzlies 61-59.
The Mustangs’ Mia Xerras drove in the lane for a layup with five seconds left in the extra period to give Myers Park the victory. Grainger got the ball into front court but Audrey Stratton was forced to take an off-balance heave as the final horn sounded.
Myers Park led by seven (52-45) with just over five minutes left in regulation, but the Grizzlies stormed back. A basket by Taylee Rutherford tied the count at 54-54 with 45 seconds to go. Both teams had chances to win in regulation time, but some key missed free throws and turnovers thwarted them and the fourth period ended knotted at 54.
A 3-pointer by Xerras put the Mustangs up 57-55 with 3:15 left, but the Grizz got the lead back with a bucket from Millie Hurst and a free throw by Maddie Hurst. A steal by Janey Thompson and a driving layup boosted the Mustangs back into a 59-58 lead. Stratton tied it with a free throw at the 22 second mark, setting the stage for the final shot by Xerras.
The game was close from the opening tip. Grainger led 33-31 at the half and the score was tied at 42 entering the final stanza.
Xerras finished with 23 points to lead the winners. Thompson and Kamora Cannie each added eight.
Grainger was led by Sydnie Hayes with 15 points. Maddie Hurst had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Stratton finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
MYERS PARK (61): Thompson 4-7 0-0 8, Cannie 4-8 0-0 8, Giannopulou 1-5 0-0 2, Lassiter 2-5 0-0 4, Davis 1-3 0-0 3, Mia Xerras 9-13 0-1 23, Wilson 3-5 0-0 7, paraison 1-4 1-2 3, Truesdale 1-5 1-2 3. TOTALS: 26-55 2-5 61.
GRAINGER (59): Audrey Stratton 3-12 5-7 13, Rutherford 2-7 2-2 6, Tanner 2-3 2-2 7, Barker 0-2 0-0 0, Maddie Hurst 6-11 2-4 14, Sydnie Hayes 4-13 4-7 15, Millie Hurst 2-5 0-0 4. TOTALS: 19-53 15-22 59.
3-Point Goals: MP—7 (Xerras 5, Davis, Wilson). GR—6 (Stratton 2, Hayes 3, Tanner).
MYERS PARK 11 20 11 12 7—61
GRAINGER 11 22 9 12 5—59
