Were you there the night Williamsburg’s girls basketball team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat?
Experts tell us we remember key moments of events, not entire events.
For example, if you go to a game, you’ll remember a few big plays, not the entire several-hours-long contest.
If you’re a fan or member of the Williamsburg team, you’ll remember how you trailed Montezuma 39-22 after three quarters, then made just about any shot you took in the fourth – and won.
If you’re a Montezuma fan or player, you won’t forget that you gave up that big lead in a 48-46 defeat on Friday, Dec. 17.
What the Bravettes should also remember is all the neat stuff they did during the first three quarters to try and set their opponent’s hair on fire.
Then, flush the fourth from your memory, because next game, you start over: No points for either team.
One of the neat things athletics teaches is that you don’t have to drag yesterday’s results behind you.
The Bravettes succumbed to full court pressure in the fourth quarter, after handling it pretty well in the first period.
Williamsburg shadowed Montezuma season scoring leader Shanae Wetering and was very aware of where star out-shooter Mia Boulton was.
Wetering scored just four points. Boulton got nine, but also got off just seven shots.
But here comes the good stuff: Other Bravettes stepped up, which they’re going to have to do moving forward.
Montezuma’s scoring was balanced, with five girls getting between six and 10 points. Jadyn Sharer led with 10, and made a pressure-packed trey with 18 seconds left that put the Bravettes ahead.
Boulton scored nine, Madison Johannes had eight, so did Ellen Cook, and Korrinn Kehoe had six.
Four girls had between five and seven rebounds each. Four players assisted baskets and four made steals.
The Bravettes broke Williamsburg pressure early, moving the ball quickly and knifing through for rebounds.
The Bravettes more than held their own in terms of quickness as they built their halftime lead to 26-15.
But the Raiders had some success setting up their press after they made baskets or free throws. That trend continued. Meanwhile, the Bravettes were knocking down some treys in building their lead to 17 points through three quarters.
But things came undone in a hurry.
The Raiders started finding open shots and knocked down most of them. Bravettes starting guard Madison Johannes fouled out during the fourth quarter, which stressed Montezuma’s depth on both ends of the court.
Boulton scored a layup off a set play to give Montezuma a 43-38 leqd 2:31 left to play.
A Raiders basket made it 1:23 left made it 43-30.
Shanae Wetering was fouled on a drive, but missed two free throws. A Williamsburg trey tied the game at 43 with 59.3 seconds left, and a Raider two-pointer gave Williamsburg a 45-43 lead with a minute left.
Montezuma then found Wetering on the side of the lane. She spun two ways and couldn’t find a shot, but spotted Sharer open on left wing and got a pass to her.
Jadyn nailed a trey – with 18 seconds left – that put Montezuma ahead 46-45.
But a Williamsburg three-pointer with 3.8 seconds left was the game-winner.
The Raiders outscored Montezuma 26-7 in the fourth quarter, after not scoring more than 10 in any previous period.
The Raiders will take a 5-3 record into 2022, whlle the Bravettes are 7-2.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Williamsburg 10 5 7 26 – 48
Montezuma 14 12 13 7 – 46
MONTEZUMA (46) – Madison Johannes 3-7, 0-0, 5, 8. Shanae Wetering 2-7, 0-2, 2, 4. Mia Boulton 3-7, 0-1, 3, 9. Jadyn Sharer 4-9, 0-1,1, 10. Korrinn Kehoe 3-4, 0-0, 0, 6. Ellen Cook 3-8, 0-0, 2, 8. Kallie Robison 0-1, 1-4, 1, 1. Shiressa Wetering 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. TOTALS – 18-43, 1-8, 15, 46.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total point.
Turnovers – 22.
Three-point goals: 9-24 (Boulton 3-6, Johannes 2-5, Sharer 2-5, Cook 2-6, Shan. Wetering 0-2).
Rebounds: 31 (Shan. Wetering 7, Johannes 5, Robison 6, Kehoe 5, Cook 3, Sharer 3, Boulton 2).
Assists: 8 (Shan. Wetering 4, Johannes 2, Boulton 1, Cook 1).
Steals: 4 (Johannes 1, Shan. Wetering 1, Boulton 1, Cook 1).
Blocks: None.