DALLAS -- Freshman
Fre Vowels was already becoming a household name in Friar Nation for her play over the past few weeks and last Friday night she cemented that by hitting a game-winning shot with under four seconds to go. The 45-43 road victory over Parish Episcopal was huge for the Friars as it moved them into sole possession of the second place in district play.
After a slow start to the first, going down 7-0, the Friars finished the first quarter on a high note holding a slight 14-10 advantage much to do with the play of
Mikah Ford, who scored five points and had one assist in the first.
The second and third quarters did not go the Friars' way though as Parish not only came back but at one point had an eight-point lead late in the third and took a five-point advantage into the fourth quarter. A big reason it was only five points was Vowels scored her first points of the game late in the third quarter
. Vowels' driving layup and corner three gave the black and white confidence going into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was one for the ages, with a total of two ties and seven lead changes in the final four minutes of the game. The first lead change happened when Vowels hit her second corner three of the game to give the Friars a 38-36 lead with just under four minutes to go. After the Panthers then tied it up with 1:44 left at 38-38,
Natalie Cardenas hit a free-throw with 1:20 left to give the ladies a 39-38 advantage.
Not 10 seconds later, Parish once again took the lead with a bucket to make it 40-39 with 1:10 left. The game remained fast-paced as Cardenas made a driving layup with 58 seconds remaining to once again give the Friars the advantage, forcing the Panthers to take a timeout.
Parish used the timeout well, drawing up a play to give the home team a 42-41 lead with 50 seconds left. But the Friars continued to put pressure on the Panthers as this time
Ellery Sample made the go-ahead bucket with 26 seconds left to make it 43-42 BL and forcing Parish to use another timeout.
After the timeout, the Friars committed a foul, and Parish went 1-2 from the line to make the score even at 43 with 22.4 seconds left, but on the rebound, there was a jump ball that gave the ball back to Parish.
With great defense, the Friars forced a turnover with 19 seconds left and they would hold onto the ball for the final shot. After passing the ball around, Vowels dribbled to the free-throw line and pulled up for the game-winning shot, and hit it to give the Friars the win. To watch the shot, click
here.
This was not only an exciting road district victory, but since both teams were 3-1 in district play before the game, it gives the Friars the advantage going forward.
Next Up:
The Friars host rival Ursuline Academy tonight at 7:30 in the Competition Gym. It is our annual Future Friar Night.
TAPPS 6A - District 1 Standings:
John Paul II: 23-4, 5-0
Bishop Lynch: 18-9, 4-1
Parish Episcopal: 19-4, 3-2
Nolan Catholic: 20-8, 3-2
Ursuline Academy: 12-11, 1-3
Prestonwood: 12-12, 1-4
Trinity Christian: 8-13, 0-4
