In fact, the Phoenix were only able to muster 11 points over the first 22:00 of the game, and trailed 19-11 late in the third quarter. Although the deficit was only 8 points, it certainly "felt like" much more given the slow pace of play.
Cue the comeback --- although Rez's MVP on the night probably wasn't who you would have expected.
With leading scorer Sarah Schulz being blanketed by St. Mary's defenders, guard Angelika Jarski stepped up with some timely jumpers as well as a strong effort on the defensive end that led to several turnovers.
In fact, during the final two minutes of the third quarter, the Phoenix went on a 7-0 run to cut St. Mary's lead to only one (19-18) entering the final frame.
"(Even though we were down in the third quarter), we believed in ourselves and didn't want this game to be our last," explained Jarski.
"We made sure we made good plays down the stretch," she continued. "The crowd was super supportive and pumped us all up."
The Rez fans, who were sitting on their hands for most of the game, came to life during that third quarter run as well as another Phoenix push early in the fourth. The Phoenix were able to force some turnovers and get out in transition, where they excel.
In fact, a Sarah Schulz "and one" which she converted extended the RCSS lead to 25-21 midway through the fourth.
St. Mary's had some opportunities in the waning moments; they would get as close as three points (26-23) on a Sydney Gruelich offensive rebound and putback. However, Jarski and Marley Niescier would help to officially ice things at the free throw line.
It was certainly a tale of two halves, as the Phoenix outscored St. Mary's 20-7 in the second half. The Eagles led 17-9 after the opening sixteen minutes.
The win was actually Resurrection's first District 8 title since the 1995 season.
"It was a fantastic feeling," said Jarski after the win. "I'm glad we could show our 'Phoenix pride' and come out on top. It was a great D8 final --- St. Mary's played a tremendous game and were a great opponent."
Jarski led Resurrection with 11 points while adding 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Sarah Schulz only attempted 8 field goals on the evening, but hit for 9 points.
Ellen McGowan (4 points, 6 rebounds), Marley Niescier (3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) and Emma Higgins (2 points, 6 rebounds) rounded out the Resurrection scoring.
St. Mary's received 11 points from their star forward, Sydney Greulich, while Alysha Hergott had 4 points and 6 rebounds in her final D8 game. Linda Huynh (3 points, 4 rebounds), Monica Januszek (2), Laura Kay (2), Emma Jada (1) and Beth Zabib (1) rounded out the St. Mary's scoring.
With the win, Resurrection also qualifies for AAAA CWOSSA next weekend.
Boxscore
SMHS 06-11-02-05 = 24
RCSS 05-04-09-11 = 29
St. Mary's (24)
M. Januszek 1-6 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 1 Ast - 2 Pts.
S. Gruelich 5-11 FG, 1-2 FT, 5 Reb, 0 Ast - 11 Pts.
L. Kay 1-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 2 Ast - 2 Pts.
L. Huynh 1-3 FG, 1-1 FT, 4 Reb, 0 Ast - 3 Pts.
A. Hergott 1-3 FG, 2-2 FT, 6 Reb, 1 Ast - 4 Pts.
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E. Jada 0-0 FG, 1-2 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 1 Pt.
B. Zabib 0-2 FG, 1-2 FT, 2 Reb, 0 Ast - 1 Pt.
J. Joseph 0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
L. Franco 0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
M. Rocha 0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
C. Zafera 0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
Field Goals: 9-28 (.321). Free-Throws: 6-9 (.666). Three-Point Goals: 0-0, .000
Resurrection (29)
S. Schulz 3-8 FG, 3-5 FT, 2 Reb, 0 Ast - 9 Pts.
E. Higgins 1-4 FG, 0-1 FT, 6 Reb, 1 Ast - 2 Pts.
E. McGowan 2-7 FG, 0-0 FT, 6 Reb, 1 Ast - 4 Pts.
M. Niescier 1-7 FG, 1-3 FT, 3 Reb, 3 Ast - 3 Pts.
A. Jarski 4-11 FG, 3-3 FT, 3 Reb, 2 Ast - 11 Pts.
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S. Fleiszig 0-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
A. Phillippi 0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
Field Goals: 11-42 (.262). Free-Throws: 7-12 (.583). Three-Point Goals: 0-1, .000 (S. Schulz, 0-1).
