Souderton falls in double overtime to Central York in PIAA-6A first round
YORK >> Bella Chimienti’s two free throws with five tenths of a second left in double overtime Friday night sent Central York to a thrilling victory and brought a stinging end to a tremendous season for Souderton.
Big Red thought it had sent the contest into a third OT when Casey Harter’s jumper fell through clean to deadlock the game at 48 apiece with just a second or two left. But Souderton was then called for a foul on the inbounds pass to Chimienti, sending her to the free-throw line.
After she converted for her 12th and 13th points of the evening, a desperation pass down court by Souderton was intercepted, ending the contest.
The Panthers (24-4), Runner-Ups out of District Three, advance to face District 11 Champ Easton Tuesday. Souderton, which earned the seventh-place spot out of District One, finished a fine season at 21-6.
“You had two teams battle and battle, hit big shots, make big plays, get big stops,” said Big Red coach Lynn Carroll. “We were short-handed tonight and in pain physically. Our girls battled through a lot. Casey was far from a hundred percent and she played every second of the game and hit a bunch of big shots. She’s a fighter.
“Everybody had to play a lot of extra minutes tonight. And it’s a shame that this is the way it had to end. But I can’t thank this group of seniors enough for what they’ve done for this program.”
It looked good for Big Red when they went to the locker room at halftime holding a 23-17 lead.
Souderton led the entire second half, going up 37-30 when Brooke Fenchel banked in a three with about five minutes to go in the fourth.
But the Panthers found their footing, closing out regulation on a 7-0 run to force OT, Chimienti’s free throws at the three-minute mark tying things up at 37 apiece.
Central York forged ahead 39-37 with two minutes to go in the first overtime on a reverse layup by Mackenzie Wright-Rawls but Harter, a senior, countered at the other end for Big Red with a layup of her own.
In the final minute, Chimienti drove down the lane for two to put Central York ahead again but Harter came through with 15 seconds remaining, her free throws making it 43-43 and sending the game into a second extra session.
Souderton went ahead 46-45 on a three by Harter, who led Big Red with a game-high 20 points, with just 40 seconds left. But back came the Panthers, pushing in front 48-46 on a three by Emily Crouthamel.
Harter tied it one last time but then Chimienti delivered for the Panthers.
Fenchel and senior Mikayla McGillian each added eight points for Souderton, and seniors Teya McConnaha and Erin Bohmueller each had six.
“They’re hurting right now, but this isn’t what they’re gonna remember,” Carroll said of her squad. “They’ll remember the fun times on the bus, team parties, and being there for one another, on and off the court. They’re gonna look back at their time with this program with pride.”
Central York 50, Souderton 48 (2 OT)
Souderton 11 12 9 5 — 48
Central York 9 8 10 10 — 50
Souderton: 5 Erin Bohmueller 3 0-0 6, 10 Brooke Fenchel 3 0-0 8, 11 Mikayla McGillian 4 0-0 8, 12 Casey Harter 6 6-6 20, 22 Teya McConnaha 3 0-0 6. Totals 19 6-6 48.
Central York: 12 Bella Chimienti 3 7-10 13, 14 Bre’ijha Painter 1 0-0 2, 21 Emily Crouthamel 3 0-0 8, 31 Alivia McCaskell 1 0-2 2, 32 Mackenzie Wright-Rawls 4 7-10 15, 40 Jazmine Parker 5 0-1 10. Totals 17 14-23 50.
3-pointers: S-Fenchel 2, Harter 2; C-Crouthamel 2.
