COUDERSP0RT — Much to host Coudersport’s chagrin, turn about was fair play Friday night
Smethport’s Morgan Okerlund capped a career-high scoring night with a three-point field goal just ahead of the buzzer in overtime to give the Lady Hubbers a 58-55 North Tier League victory over previously unbeaten Coudersport.
Okerlund, a senior, scored 30 points, the best offensive effort of her outstanding career in Smethport.
“She is just a phenomenal player,” said Chris Fink, Coudersport coach. “You could see it in the way she played tonight. She had 11 points in the fourth quarter and five of their seven in the overtime.”
The stage for the overtime scenario began with Coudersport freshman Haley Keck, who rattled home a long-range shot to beat the buzzer at the end of regulation.
“We were down by three in regulation with 4.6 seconds left and with the ball at the opposite end of the floor,” Fink explained. “Keck got the inbounds, dribbled up just over half court and launched about a 30-footer that went in to send the game into overtime.”
Enter Okerlund.
“With about six seconds left in overtime the score was tied,” Fink continued. “Smethport got the ball out of bounds and had to go pretty much the length of the floor. Okerlund got the inbounds, dribbled up just outside the three-point line and banked it in.
“In all my years of coaching I have never seen a game with “Hail Mary” buzzer-beaters at the end of regulation and in overtime,” Fink admitted.
Leading Coudersport were Emily Morey with 17 points and seven assists, Keck with 15 points, Tori Crosby with 11 and seven rebounds and Allie Easton with 10 tallies.
“I’m really proud of our young team,” noted Fink, who pointed out that senior Liz Burd is injured and may be out of the lineup for some time. “Smethport is a pretty veteran team and our girls scrapped and clawed to the bitter end.”
The Lady Falcons (3-1) have no time to stew over the loss.
“We have to get right back at it tomorrow (today) in Wellsboro,” said Fink. The game is scheduled to get under way at 1 p.m.
SMETHPORT (58)
Gross-Benjamin 1-0-2-3, Alfieri 2-0-2-6, Morgan Okerlund 8-13-19-30, Taggart 2-2-4-6, Lord 3-0-0-6, Duffy 1-0-0-2, Treat 2-1-2-5, Totals 19-16-29-58
COUDERSPORT (55)
Emily Morey 4-9-17-17, Gleason 1-0-0-2, Allie Easton 5-0-0-10, Haley Keck 6-2-2-15, Tori Crosby 5-1-1-11, Totals 21-12-20-55
By Quarters
Smethport 14 9 11 17 (7)—58
Coudy 15 14 5 17 (4)—55
Three-point FGs: Smethport (4) – Benjamin, Alfieri 2, Okerlund; Coudy (1) – Keck
JV Score: Smethport 35-29
