I-A GIRLS: Resilient Grizzlies rally to reach final

RENO — A total of 51 days and 15 games had passed since Spring Valley's girls basketball team trailed in the second half.

But when the Grizzlies were faced with that scenario Friday, they knew exactly how to handle it.

Essence Booker had 13 of her game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter, and Kayla Harris added 23 points as Spring Valley used a strong finishing kick to defeat Churchill County 64-52 in a Division I-A state semifinal at Reno High.

The defending state champion Grizzlies (29-3), whose last loss came Jan. 7 against top-ranked Centennial, will play Faith Lutheran (22-7) in the title game at 6:20 p.m. today at UNR's Lawlor Events Center.

Spring Valley has defeated Faith Lutheran three times this season by an average of 19 points.

"That had the feel of a state championship game," Spring Valley coach Billy Hemberger said. "In big games like this you need your stars to shine, and our stars shined. It's that simple."

Booker also notched seven rebounds, five steals and four assists, and Alana Walker had nine points and seven rebounds for Spring Valley, which won despite not making a field goal for the final 5:20.

The Grizzlies went 17-for-22 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, with Booker doing most of the damage.

The sophomore made 11 of her 14 attempts from the foul line as Spring Valley turned a 47-45 lead into a 60-47 advantage with 43.5 seconds remaining.

Spring Valley was 26-for-36 at the free-throw line overall, compared with an 8-for-14 showing by the Greenwave (26-2).

"They played that man-to-man, pack-line defense, and it's kind of a different look than what we're used to," Hemberger said. "It took some adjustments for (Booker) to see that, come off the screen, hesitate, then attack the big. She was able to get to the free-throw line. She was a monster, but credit Fallon. They're a very good team."

Megan McCormick had 17 points, and Faith Cornmesser added 11 points off the bench for Churchill County, which ended its season on a two-game losing streak after winning its first 26 games.

Leilani Otuafi, the Greenwave's leading scorer at 13.3 points per game, had only five points and was held scoreless in the second half with Kalynn Lesley hounding her on every possession.

"Lesley gave unbelievable defensive minutes," Hemberger said. "She changed the pace of the game. To see her step up like that, it was amazing."

Spring Valley, which didn't face a full-court press in the Sunset League and struggled to adjust, committed 18 first-half turnovers and led only 25-24 at the break.

Leta Otuafi's three-point play gave Churchill County a 34-32 advantage with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, but the Grizzlies responded with a 9-0 run and never trailed again.

Faith Lutheran 44, Lowry 35 — Sam Caruth scored 16 points and Bobbi Tharaldson 12 to help the Crusaders knock off the Buckaroos (20-8).

Caruth tallied 10 points in the first half and went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

Tharaldson hit a 3-pointer late in the second quarter to give Faith Lutheran a 21-20 halftime lead and made back-to-back 3-pointers early in the fourth that put the Crusaders on top 37-31.

Lowry got as close as 37-35 with 2:45 remaining on a 15-foot jumper by Payton Naveran, but Madison Bocobo, who scored 11, drained the Crusaders' sixth 3-pointer of the game to give them a 40-35 lead with 1:30 left.