Stunning loss leaves Council Rock North girls basketball wanting more (GALLERY)
LANSDOWNE – Miracle runs are great. You have exciting plays, dramatic heroics and upset victories. The only downside is the sad feeling that accompanies the final game. The Council Rock North girls basketball team experienced all these extremes in their recent trek through the District One Class AAAA playoffs.
The Lady Indians entered the tournament seeded 28th, a ranking that the lone senior on the roster, Samantha Saifer, said worked to their advantage. “We approached the districts feeling we didn’t have any pressure. Our coach (Lou Palkovics) said there is no pressure on you. If you’re 28th, you’re expected to lose. You shouldn’t feel scared. If you lose, you lose.”
Yet anyone following Council Rock basketball knows the coach’s calm exterior belies the intense preparation he brings to every game. Samantha would certainly agree. “One of the odd things coach does is he gives us a scouting report and he tests us on it. That makes sure everyone knows the other players inside out. You know their stats and every play they run.”
The meticulous prep worked as the Indians upset the number five seed, Boyertown, 40-27 in the opening round. After a close 43-37 loss to Downingtown East in game two, the Rock bounced back to upset number four seed, Mount Saint Joseph, 46-42 in the playback bracket. The win kept alive the Indians’ hopes for a trip to states.
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To realize the dream, the Lady Indians would have to defeat the 17th-seeded Penn Wood Patriots. Samantha recognized the challenge. “We knew they were really aggressive and strong. We knew they had some good shooters. They like to drive to the basket and get fouled. We approached it like we do every game. We’re going to play really hard. We wanted to show we weren’t a 28th seed.”
Both teams struggled through a rough first half that saw them tied 10-10 at the end of the first quarter. The score remained knotted at 20 apiece when the teams headed into the locker room to make any halftime adjustments.
“Coach told us we needed to work harder, dive for more loose balls and make our second shots. Our shots weren’t falling. He said they would start falling.”
The coach’s prophecy came to fruition with four minutes left in the third quarter. Sophomore Mackenzie Tinner, who hit a team high 16 points, started a run with back-to-back baskets that put the Indians ahead, 24-23.
As a senior captain, Samantha wanted the scoring streak to continue. She certainly made her contribution, nailing two set shots to give the Rock a 28-23 lead. “That was me not wanting to lose. It came down to realizing we need this. I wanted to go to states.”
The Indians maintained their aggressive pace, holding a 40-32 advantage with 5:49 left to play. Unfortunately, their relative youthfulness came into play when they settled into a more conservative style, one leading coach Palkovics to call a timeout with 3:49 left.
“He wanted us to keep pushing. Some of the girls kept pulling the ball out and looking for a good shot instead of taking one that had a 50-50 chance. We weren’t going to the basket and that was our mistake.”
The cautious style allowed Penn Wood to pull to within two points with seven seconds left in the game. The Patriots gained possession and called a timeout. With all eyes on game-high scorer Dahyne Redd (20 points), guard Gabrielle Hairston took the inbounds pass and banked in a three-point shot from the top left of the arc.
Penn Wood’s 44-43 victory ended the Rock’s miracle run. For Samantha, the end of the season bore special meaning. “It was heartbreaking and the worst part was when we knew we don’t have practice anymore. You go for months and months of practice and then you’re not with your team anymore.”
Being on the CR North team was a dream that started in second grade for Samantha. “Ever since I was a little kid I thought I was going to play Council Rock basketball. We had special nights when the younger kids would go over and watch the older girls play. Getting to be a part of the varsity has been amazing. The team dynamic at Council Rock is great. We have team-bonding exercises. It’s not just a basketball team. You’re like a family all year long.”
Though she will not be heading to states this year, Samantha feels next year could well be Rock’s season. “Those girls will do amazing things next year. We were really young and its good the freshmen got a taste of what districts are. I was really proud of them going into the districts with such poise and composure.”
Samantha should also be proud of her contribution as senior captain. She proved a great role model for the youthful Indians.
DISTRICT 1-AAAA PLAYBACK
Penn Wood 44, Council Rock North 43
(Feb. 24 at Penn Wood)
CR North 10 10 13 10 – 43
Penn Wood 10 10 7 17 – 44
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH — Samantha Saifer 6, Mackenzie Tinner 16, Hannah Weiler 2, Dana Bandurick 2, Olivia Boyle 3, Megan Haggerty 7, Becca Margolis 5, Taylor Polinsky 2. TOTALS — 15 10-20 43.
PENN WOOD — Dahyne Redd 20, Gabrielle Hairston 11, Khaliah Gordon 2, Samantha Dillion 4, Carle Andrews 3, Joy Morton 4. TOTALS — 14 14-24 44.
3-POINT GOALS: CRN — Haggerty 2, Boyle; PW — Hairston, Andrews.
