Sycamore stuns Geneva in Burlington Central title game
Sycamore's Faith Feuerbach delivered the final blow in Geneva's 48-47 loss in the Burlington Central Thanksgiving Tournament title game Saturday.
The senior's long 3-point basket put Sycamore ahead for the first time with 6.5 seconds left on the clock. The trey, launched from the volleyball attack line, ended up being the winning bucket.
However, it was a one-sided third quarter, and a back-and-forth final period, that set up the dramatic finish.
The second half opened with Geneva (3-1) holding a 36-25 advantage over Sycamore (4-0). The Vikings' first attempt of the third quarter, a shot that bounced off the top of the backboard, was the first indication it would be a long eight minutes for Geneva.
Feuerbach, who led all scorers with 22 points, started an 11-0 Sycamore run with a 3-point play the old-fashioned way, a basket and a free throw. The scoring spurt ended with an Evyn Carrier (10 points) free throw at 1:21 mark of the quarter that tied the game at 36.
Sycamore coach Adam Wickness felt both physical and mental adjustments led to his team's third quarter rally.
"We started making plays and we got some confidence in ourselves and believing we deserved to be here," said the Sycamore coach. "The first quarter was a little bit rough but to the testament of girls, they did not quit."
Cassidy Arni (13 points) broke both Geneva's scoring drought and the tie with a baseline layup just before the quarter ended.
"We got stuck in the mud (in the third quarter). We didn't have any movement. It wasn't anything different that's the thing. We will learn from it. We will work on it and get better," said Geneva coach Sarah Meadows. "I think the first half the game was a little faster. It was more up and down, and we like to play that style a little better."
The Vikings extended the lead to 40-36 with a Caroline Madden bucket a minute into the fourth quarter. Carrier tied it again with back-to-back baskets. Leah Palmer's layup at the 4:31 mark of the quarter returned the lead back to Geneva, 42-40. The sophomore led Vikings with 15 points.
But once again, Carrier came through to tie the game. The Vikings responded with baskets from Lauren Slagle and Palmer to go up 46-42 with three minutes left to play.
Feuerbach's fourth of five treys cut the margin 46-45. A Zosia Wrobel free throw with 58.5 seconds remaining put the Vikings up 47-45. Sycamore regained control of the ball with 28 seconds left and set up Feuerbach's winning shot.
Geneva and Sycamore were well represented on the all-tournament team. Wrobel, Slagle and Arni earned the honors for Geneva while Feuerbach and Ella Shipley represented Sycamore. Feuerbach was selected by all 12 coaches.
Burlington Central (3-1) won the third-place game, besting DeKalb (2-2) 56-40. Rocket Taylor Charles led all scorers with 25 points. Amina Gray scored 18 points for the Barbs and teammate Kailey Porter tallied 13. Rockets Becca Carani and Rylie Duval joined Charles on the all-tournament team. Gray earned the honor for DeKalb.