Girls Basketball: Northern Lebanon v Trinity (2-22-24)

District 3 Playoffs

Northern Lebanon 38, Trinity 35

Following a bye in the First Round, the #3 Lady Vikings hosted #6 Trinity in the District 3 – 4A Quarterfinals.

The Shamrocks showed up in Fredericksburg with every intention of playing spoiler. They backed it up with a strong full-court press and a series of blocked shots to build a 7-point lead at the end of the 1st quarter. The 15 points given up by Northern Lebanon was uncharacteristic of their typical style of play, but after adjustments, they were able to recover to give up just 6 points in the 2nd quarter. However, the Vikings faced a 21-12 deficit at the half.

In the 3rd quarter, more adjustments were made by Coach Battistelli, and Northern Lebanon began to look like . . . Northern Lebanon. With a strong defensive effort, the Vikings began to feed Olivia Shutter, as the junior scored 9 points in the quarter. Even with that effort, the scoreboard still read 30-23 entering the final eight minutes. However, the Vikings continued to clamp down. Shutter also continued her scoring tirade, scoring 7 points, as the home team stormed back to take the lead. Hayley Sheroky was also insanely clutch down the stretch, going 8-10 from the free throw line. Trinity hit a desperation three-pointer right before time expired, as Northern Lebanon won a game that was in jeopardy just minutes earlier.

This was a game that will live on in the memories of the players, the coaching staff, and all those in attendance for one simple reason: What had been a 7 point deficit entering the final quarter turned into a 3 point victory by the time the final buzzer sounded.

Shutter finished the game with 18 points, scoring all but two points in the 2nd half. She hit two three-pointers and went 4-7 from the line. Sheroky had 10 points in the game, with eight of those points coming as the result of exceptional free throw shooting in the game’s final minutes.

Northern Lebanon (19-5) will play on Monday against #2 Wyomissing in the District 3 Semifinals. With the win over Trinity, they have now qualified for the PIAA State Championship Tournament.