Girls beat Holmdel in overtime affair

5th seeded Middletown South came back from a 4 point deficit in the final minute of regulation to push the game to overtime, where they beat 12th seeded Holmdel 53 to 46.

In the first half, the Eagles had the upper hand, with the score in their favor at 21-15 heading into the locker room. But, early in the third quarter, Brittany Hoffman injured her knee, leading to a Holmdel breakaway layup, and momentum immediately swung in the Hornets direction. Hoffman did not return, but was seen walking around the sideline at the end of the game.

Holmdel outscored South 15 to 7 in the third, to take a 30-28 lead at the end of the quarter. Holmdel held the lead for most of the fourth, with South making runs to try and overtake them, but the score stayed within a 1 to 5 point lead for Holmdel throughout the quarter.

With 45 seconds left in regulation Holmdel held a 4 point advantage over the Eagles, but a layup brought it within 2. There was a foul on the layup, but the shot was missed. Luckily for the Eagles, Shawna Hagen stepped in to get the rebound and put it back in to tie it at 44 all.

Holmdel coach Debbie Emery called a timeout with 11 seconds remaining to draw up a play. The Hornets shot was off the mark and rebounded by South. The Eagles pushed it up the floor to Julie Gannon, who took an off balance shot that banked off the backboard, but then hit the front of the rim and rolled out.

Middletown South came out fired up in the overtime period, getting a quick two score advantage. Holmdel whittled the lead to 49-46 with 40 seconds to go in the game, but the Eagles executed their free throws and walked away with the 53-46 win.

Danielle Pankey, despite fouling out with a couple of minutes left in the fourth, led the way for South, with a game high 16 points. Christina Longo chipped in tremendously with 14 on the night. Shawna Hagen scored 9, including the two crucial points at the end of regulation to tie the game.

Dana Graziano had a team high 15 points, while teammate Melissa Martorelli chipped in 10 in the losing effort.

Middletown South moves onto play fourth seeded Voorhees at Vorhees Thursday night at 7 PM. Students have until the end of 1st period on Thursday to sign up, and the school needs at least 30 students or they will cancel the bus.