Late pressure by Colts leads to Miller Loss

By Emily Panter
Springfield Beacon

The first of three Miller/Colt girls basketball match-ups remained close for the entire game, that is, until the fourth quarter. Springfield led 31-28 at the end of the third, but heavy pressure from the Colts in the fourth would eventually lead to a 42-48 loss for the Millers.
Things got off to a quick start for the Millers, taking a four point lead in the first minute before Thurston got on the board with a basket by Whitney Hughes. A three-pointer by Natalie Smith would tie the game at five just minutes later. The Colts ended up taking the lead halfway through the quarter with a basket by Hughes, but they would only be able to extend their lead by four, and would lead 12-13 at the end of the first.
“Overall I thought we played well until the last quarter,” said Springfield coach Chuck Wenger. “I’m just a little disappointed we didn’t handle their pressure in the fourth quarter.”
The Millers would tie it up with just under six minutes remaining in the half when Samantha Stoner made one of her two free throws, but the Colts responded back with a made free throw of their own. Springfield would take the lead for the rest of the half with a basket by Carly King, followed by a Miller three-pointer to go up 20-19. Two free throws by Kenzie Smith would leave it 22-19 at the half.
Despite heavy pressure in the third, the Millers managed to maintain their lead, eventually taking a 28-23 lead. But offense for the Millers would stall with over half the period remaining as they would only manage three more points, a free throw and a basket by Sabra Lindahl. Thurston put forth a lot of pressure in the quarter to bring it 31-28 at its close.
Springfield managed to hold onto their lead for two minutes, but a basket and a made free throw by Natalie Smith would give the Colts a 34-36 lead. Thurston put forth a lot of pressure in the final minutes of the game, preventing the Millers from any offensive threats, and capitalizing on three throw opportunities to finish the game with a 42-48 win.
“The whole game swung on not handling the pressure in the last five minutes,” Wenger said.
Thurston coach Michelle Tuma was unavailable for comment as of press time.
The next cross town match-up will be Friday, Jan. 25 at Thurston starting at 5:30. The boys teams will play at 7 p.m. that same day.