PORTLAND — In a game wherein points were hard to come by, Hayley Jordan dropped in a shot that astounded everyone and spurred the Cheverus High girls’ basketball team to victory on Wednesday.
Jordan’s 3-pointer from just inside half court to beat the third-quarter buzzer provided a huge lift as second-seeded Cheverus overcame cold shooting to beat third-seeded Hampden Academy, 35-25, in the Class AA North semifinals at Cross Insurance Arena.
The Stags’ defense stood out for sure, holding the Broncos scoreless for about a 12-minute stretch into the third quarter, but Jordan’s only basket of the game – coming after Hampden cut a 10-point deficit to four – provided the momentum the Stags needed to hold on.
“We had it to four and had possession,” said Hampden Coach Nick Winchester. “We missed a 3 and then she hits that 3. When you’re climbing a hill, those are the things that are hard to overcome. When points are hard to come by, those are the ones you don’t want to give up.”
Cheverus (16-3) will play Oxford Hills in the Class AA North championship game at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Broncos finished 14-6.
This was the Stags’ second win of the season over Hampden. The teams were supposed to play twice during the regular season, but Cheverus opted not to play the second game. School officials called it a “team decision,” one that resulted in a forfeit loss for the Stags.
“We really wanted this one,” said Cheverus Coach Bill Goodman. “The girls motivated themselves. And we came out really focused.”
Cheverus scored the game’s first seven points, but both teams struggled. Hampden hit only 10 of 45 shots, while the Stags made 12 of 45.
The Stags led 13-5 at the half, but Hampden regrouped in the third quarter behind Emma Haskell and Bella McLaughlin to pull within 22-18.
Hampden had one more possession at the end of the third but missed a 3-pointer. The ball came to Jordan, who dribbled over half court and then heaved the ball toward the basket – where it swished in, giving Cheverus a 25-18 lead.
“It’s nice to have the clock right above the basket,” said Jordan. “I knew how many dribbles I could take and I got to a point where I felt it was right to let it go. It felt good when I let it go. It was pretty straight. I thought I was going to bank it, but it went in.”
It should be noted that Cheverus added a half-court shooting drill to its practices in the last two weeks.
Cheverus clinched it by hitting six foul shots in the final 2:14. Emma Lizotte and Lillian Singleton each had 10 points to lead Cheverus, while Haskell scored 10 for the Broncos.
“Defense is what we’ve been working on since November every day,” said Goodman. “For a long time. Every day. And I knew coming into this game, if you want to go far in the (Cross arena), you’ve got to be able to play defense. And you’ve got to be able to play defense when the shots aren’t falling.”
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