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Burliington Central storms back to beat McHenry, win tourney

The Burlington Central girls basketball team won its own basketball tournament in dramatic fashion Tuesday night. The Rockets tied the game against McHenry at the buzzer of regulation and won it in overtime, 58-54.

The Rockets have now won the Central Thanksgiving Classic 5 years in a row.

Kathryn Schmidt's 3-pointer from the top of the key pulled Central with 3 of the Warriors, 53-50, with 7.4 seconds to play After Rockets coach Mark Smith called a time out, Central stole the ball on McHenry's inbounds play. After Lily Moretti missed a shot, Schmidt grabbed the rebound and kicked it out to Elana Wells on left wing. The freshman drained the 3 just as time expired to tie the game at 53 all.

"It didn't quite work out the way we drew it up. We did get the steal but we were supposed to kick it out to Kathryn for the 3, she was trailing the play," said Smith. "Lily took a shot and missed it, then Elana got the ball on the wing and knocked in the 3 with just enough time."

The Warriors got the tip in overtime and ran two minutes off the clock before attempting a basket. Liz Alsot's shot missed the mark and the Rockets came up with the ball. Mackenzie West worked the ball inside for bucket that put Central in the lead for the first time in the game, 55-53, with 2:37 left in the frame.

Central (5-0) caught a break on McHenry's next trip down the court. Just as Jamie Howie (14 points) got off a 3-point shot that would have put the Warriors back in the lead, she was called for traveling.

With a 1:02 left to play, Schmidt scored the last of her game-high 25 points by sinking 2 free throws and giving the Rockets a 58-53 advantage.

Alsot (9 points) scored McHenry's only point of the OT period with a free throw with 10.8 seconds left to play.

During the first half of the game, it appeared Central's streak of winning its tournament would be broken. McHenry (4-1) jumped out to a 20-5 lead after the first 8 minutes and led 33-15 at halftime.

"I just think it was a sign of young age," Smith said about his team's slow start. The squad has no seniors and only one junior.

Isabel Gescheidle and Howie did most of the damage for the Warriors. Gescheidle scored 13 of her 16 points in the first half with two 3-pointers. Howie notched 11 points in the first 2 quarters also with 2 baskets from beyond the arc.

Central kicked its offense into high gear in the second half. The Rockets outscored the Warriors 16-7 to pull within 9 points at the end of the third quarter.

Wells (14 points) and Schmidt were both named to the all-tournament team.

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