Kinsey Osborn's game winner revives Licking Valley, cools off Heath
HANOVER ― Makala Bennett set the pick, Avery Williams threw the pass and Kinsey Osborn delivered Licking Valley a much-needed victory Wednesday.
The senior forward's short hook shot with three seconds left found nothing but net, giving the Panthers a pulsating 37-36 Licking County League crossover win against visiting Heath after they had suffered a pair of recent heartbreaking losses.
"Not only is she an amazing teammate and great basketball player, but she was sick the last couple of days and pushed through it," said Williams, who scored 10 of her 14 points in the second half. "We had lost two close games, so it feels good to finally get one of these."
Osborn, who added 10 points, said Tuesday was her first day back at practice.
"I was still struggling today with my breathing, but I wanted to be out there for my team," she said. "Coach (Ed Weisgerber) helped by giving me some breaks during the game. I knew that play was coming. I was either going to make the shot or get fouled. Avery does everything for us and it was a perfect pass."
Heath (12-8, 7-7), bolstered by the return of senior guard Caroline Robertson, had won five of its last six games. And the Bulldogs led 35-33 with 43 seconds when Robertson sank two free throws. But Williams quickly tied it back up with a baseline fadeaway.
Sydney Cottrell was fouled on a rebound shot for Heath with 13 seconds left, making the first but missing the second. Weisgerber called time with 5.7 seconds on the Dick Torbert Gymnasium clock.
"That was the play," he said. "We decided to get it to Kinsey, who is a very athletic, strong girl. You expect a senior to knock it down, and that's what she did."
Said Williams, who had five assists and five rebounds: "We doubled up the screens, faked it to the corner and looked them away. It was the way we drew it up."
Valley (9-10, 6-7) recently lost when Johnstown hit a shot at the buzzer to force overtime, and missed a shot at the buzzer in a loss to Watkins Memorial. So the motivated Panthers came out of the gate fast Wednesday, jumping ahead 15-6 against Heath's zone defense. Rylee Hillis made a 3, Williams scored off a steal and rebound, Maggie Cruells Febrer assisted Osborn on two baskets, Williams fed Bennett for a layup, then hit Hillis off the inbounds.
But the Bulldogs then switched to man-to-man defense and it paid dividends. Trailing 17-10 midway through the second quarter, they went on an 11-0 run to go up 21-17 early in the third. Peyton Del Cecato, who led Heath with 14 points and nine rebounds, started and ended the surge with rebound baskets while Robertson drilled one of her three 3-pointers.
"We had struggled in zone the last couple of games, but we use it to save our legs, because our bench is not very deep," Heath coach Katy Barry said.
The Panthers responded behind junior point guard Williams, who drove for two baskets and stuck back in her own missed shot. Hillis found Bennett for a backdoor layup and 29-26 edge before Robertson's NBA-distance 3 pulled the Bulldogs into a 29-29 tie heading to the fourth.
"When they switched out of the zone, it caught us off guard, but then Avery went to work in the third and got us back in fighting range," Weisgerber said.
Said Williams: "In the second quarter I noticed the paint opening up, and in the third I knew I had to get us closer," she said. "Makala is a great screener, so it was a team effort."
Bennett added 8 points and five rebounds and Cruells Febrer had three assists for Valley, a solid 18 of 37 from the floor for 49% while missing its only two foul shots.
Robertson scored 11 points and Cottrell 9 to go with eight boards for Heath, which struggled from the field, going 14 of 38 for 37% including 2 of 11 down the stretch. But the Bulldogs continue to find success with their scrappy team play.
"Give credit where it is due," Barry said. "I've watched Valley on film, and they've improved a lot. They're big, athletic and quick. I'm proud of my girls. They're undersized but they battle. This is the time of year that you want to play in these close, physical games."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Kinsey Osborn's game winner revives Licking Valley, cools off Heath
