By Joe Gisondi
It’s tough to call a single play crucial in a 21-point game.
But, of course, we’re going to do that.
Because it’s true.
In a game where Lake Land hit 10 3-pointers, where Kamaria Gant scored a team-high 17 points, where Olivia Niemerg came off the bench to make all of her field goals, 3-pointers and free throws to score 13 points, and where the Lakers combined for 19 steals – Elizabeth Buescher’s 3-pointer was arguably the most important play of the night in a 68-47 victory over Parkland in Friday night’s NJCAA national women’s basketball semifinal game in Hickory, North Carolina.
The Lakers take on Johnson County, which defeated Illinois Central 69-56, in tonight’s national championship game starting at 6:30 p.m. CST.
“It’s pretty darn exciting (playing for the title tonight),” said Lake Land Coach Dave Johnson. “I’m trying to stay grounded. I don’t know if there’s a word to describe it.”
The Lakers appeared headed to the title game at halftime, when they held a 39-21 lead.
But Parkland’s 6-foot-1 forward Naomi McDaniel took over in the third quarter, using her size to power through a smaller Lakers squad that averages about 5 feet 7. McDaniel scored all 10 points during a Cobras run that cut Lake Land’s lead to 39-31 about five minutes into the quarter.
“I was a little nervous, to be honest,” said point guard Harley Barry.
“I know we had to stay calm,” said Tresoir Newson.
Said Johnson: “I’m always concerned during a 10-0 run.”
Parkland relied on a 13-0 run to defeat Lake Land in their first matchup in February.
After McDaniel completed a three-point play by making a free throw, Barry took the ball up court and fired a pass to Buescher in the left corner whose shot arced perfectly into the basket for Lake Land’s seventh 3-pointer that made it 42-31.
After that, Parkland never really threatened.
Parkland went on an 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter after Lake Land had rebuilt its lead to 18 with about four minutes left in the game. But, at that point, the run was insufficient.
Lake Land closed the game on a 13-2 run.
“That was a big shot,” Johnson said. “Elizabeth is always consistent for us.”
Gant made all three of her 3-pointers in the first quarter to help Lake Land build a 20-12 lead.
“Anytime I was open, I just let it fly,” Gant said. “You have to have confidence, if you’re a shooter.”
Newson, meanwhile, pressured Parkland all night, recording eight of the team’s 19 steals and helping force several of Parkland’s 30 turnovers.
“It’s amazing,” Newson said of playing in the championship tonight. “It feels good to see and feel it come alive.”
| Parkland | 12 | 9 | 16 | 10 | 47 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Land | 20 | 19 | 13 | 16 | 68 |
TEAM STATISTICS
| Parkland | Lake Land | |
| Field Goal | 17-39 | 22-49 |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 43.6% | 44.9% |
| 3 Point | 0-5 | 10-24 |
| 3 Point % | 0% | 41.7% |
| Free Throw | 13-16 | 14-19 |
| Free Throw % | 81.3% | 73.7% |
| Rebounds | 29 | 24 |
| Assists | 10 | 13 |
| Turnovers | 30 | 17 |
| Points off Turnovers | 22 | 30 |
| 2nd Chance Points | 6 | 5 |
| Points in the Paint | 26 | 20 |
| Fastbreak Points | 2 | 2 |
| Bench Points | 6 | 23 |
| Largest Lead | 4 | 21 |
| Time of Largest Lead | 1st-07:46 | 4th-01:13 |
| FG | 3ptr | FT | Reb | Pts | Min | |
| Kamaria Gant | 5-11 | 4-8 | 3-3 | 4 | 17 | 28 |
| Tresoir Newson | 3-7 | 0-2 | 1-4 | 2 | 7 | 32 |
| Shania Schoonover | 0-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Harley Barry | 5-10 | 0-2 | 5-6 | 3 | 15 | 33 |
| Abby Weis | 2-7 | 1-5 | 1-2 | 1 | 6 | 28 |
| Olivia Niemerg | 4-4 | 3-3 | 2-2 | 2 | 13 | 20 |
| Elizabeth Buescher | 1-1 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Karrington Krable | 1-3 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 1 | 2 | 13 |
| Avery Still | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| Kayla Sirjord | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Josie Orris | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Jae Lynn Riggleman | 1-1 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| JOAnna Schultz | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Coles County Sports 