LH girls hold on for wild 77-73 victory at Southmoreland
ALVERTON — Ashley Galderisi didn’t get down on herself after missing a pair of free throws that would have sealed a win on Thursday night. She simply went back out on the court and sank 10-of-11 free throws in overtime to key a 77-73 Section 3-AAA win over Southmoreland.
Fillies coach Kenny Riddell said of Galderisi, “She showed her true character. She has done that every game for this team. For whatever reason, we’re slow starters. But it says a lot that our girls keep battling no matter what the score.”
Both teams had significant leads at different times. Southmoreland (0-1, 2-2) jumped to a 10-1 lead on eight points from Olivia Porter and a basket by Addy Nicholson.
Laurel Highlands (1-0, 3-1) battled back to within 12-11 on four points by Galderisi, four from Kylie Miller, a Siteri Tale free throw, and a basket by Melissa Bochnak.
Trailing 14-11 at the quarter break, LH took its first lead on baskets by Galderisi and Sarah Proud.
From there on, the teams traded the lead seven consecutive times before Porter’s late basket gave the Lady Scotties a 31-29 lead at halftime.
The Fillies came out hot in the second half with a 15-2 run led by 10 points from Galderisi, to take a 46-35 lead.
But Southoreland answered with a 10-point run on baskets by Nicholson, Porter, Briana Bunner, Nicholson again, and two Brooke Corley free throws to trail by one before Miller’s basket gave LH a 48-45 lead after three quarters.
Porter and Proud traded baskets to start the fourth quarter and Galderisi’s three-point play gave LH a 53-47 lead.
Southmoreland went on a 10-4 run to force the game’s sixth deadlock at 57-57, and the teams again traded leads until Porter sank two free throws for a 64-64 deadlock.
Corley and Galderisi traded free throws before Porter fouled out with just over one second left to send Galderisi to the line.
After the two missed foul shots, Southmoreland was in its third overtime contest in four games.
The hosts took a quick lead in the extra session on a basket by Carissa Cyphert and two free throws by Nicholson.
But Galderisi sank two free throws, had a three-point play, and four more foul shots for an insurmountable lead of 74-69.
Corley and Galderisi traded a pair of free throws, and Cyphert’s basket cut the lead to 75-73 before Galderisi sank her ninth and 10th foul shots in overtime to seal the win.
Riddell praised his entire team afterwards and said Abby McDonald set up a lot of fast break baskets for Galderisi. He said Proud, Tale, and Miller all had outstanding performances as well.
“This was our fourth game and third in overtime,” said Southmoreland coach Brian Pritts. “If this is the way the season will go, everyone had better buckle up and get ready to roll. I’m proud of my kids and look forward to playing Laurel Highlands again.”
After Galderisi’s game high of 35, Miller added 11, and Proud scored 10.
Porter scored 33 to lead Southmoreland, Nicholson added 16, and Claycomb had 10.