Free throws key as Panther girls hold off Longhorns
Converting free throws is paramount for teams that are lining up for a playoff run.
It was also the key difference between seventh-ranked Palo Verde and Legacy on Wednesday night.
The Longhorns went 11-for-28 from the foul line, and the Panthers responded by converting on 9 of 13 attempts to hold on for a 46-43 road victory.
“We’ve been in some close games and been in some battles this year, which has really helped,” Palo Verde coach Phil Clarke said.
Senior Jasmin Kiley led the effort, sinking 6 of 8 free throws — including 3 of 4 in the final 42 seconds — to seal the win.
“It wasn’t her best night overall,” Clarke said. “Our captains came through for us, but with Jasmin, it was her mental toughness to put it together when she needed to.”
Palo Verde (18-5, 13-2 Northwest League), which starts four seniors, held seven-point leads three times in the fourth quarter but couldn’t pull away from Legacy (16-11, 11-4).
Lily Tapusoa helped Palo Verde do just enough to stay in front of a scrappy Longhorns team, including a breakaway layup off a steal with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it 43-36.
Justice Akins scored four points in the final minute to keep Legacy close before their run ended.
Tapusoa finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds, five steals and four blocked shots for the Panthers, who have won four in a row since a loss to Faith Lutheran. The senior post player also provided key hustle plays, soaring over the scorer’s table for a loose ball in the first half.
“She’s our silent assassin,” Clarke said of Tapusoa. “The best example was when she jumped over the table trying to save that ball. She’s one of our captains and that’s why right there. She leads by example.”
Leoneisha Jackson tallied 12 points for the Longhorns, who got nine points from Akins.
