LADY WOLVES: Wright’s opportunistic layup helps Skyhawk girls complete comeback

Silverado girls basketball coach Kevin Volcic often reminds his team that a play isn’t over until the referee blows a whistle.

An errant horn blew late in the fourth quarter Tuesday, but no whistle.

The Skyhawks kept playing, and Diamondique Wright scored with 1:19 remaining to lift Silverado to a 58-57 victory over Valley in the Silver Division semifinals of the Lady Wolves Holiday Tournament at Basic.

The win lifted the Skyhawks into Wednesday’s championship game, where they will play Pueblo East (Colo.) at 11 a.m.

“We haven’t been really good at shooting free throws this year, so I’ve told the kids not to stop playing until the whistle blows,” Volcic said.

That advice came in handy when Brittany Loguidice went to the line to shoot two free throws with the score tied at 55. The first was converted, but the second missed.

As the ball clanged off the backboard, a horn sounded, causing the Vikings to think the ball was dead.

But Wright stormed in for the rebound and the eventual game-winning layup to make it 58-55.

“That wasn’t the best thing in a game like this, but it worked to our favor,” said Volcic, who was surprised at Valley’s minimal protest.

The late drama capped an unlikely comeback for Silverado, which trailed most of the way.

“I didn’t want to panic,” Volcic said. “I’ve learned the last couple games that we’re slow starters.”

The Skyhawks chipped away at a nine-point deficit and finally went ahead when Natalie Lainhart sank two free throws to start the fourth quarter, which saw three other lead changes before Loguidice stepped to the free-throw line before the decisive play.

Lainhart finished with 24 points to lead Silverado. Teammate Jessica Meyers added 14 points and four steals.

Shayna Porter led Valley with 18 points, and teammate Christina Davis had 15 points and four steals.

Valley 50, Tech 33 —  Davis’ 12 points help the Vikings cruise past the Roadrunners in a quarterfinal matchup.

Silverado 80, Faith Lutheran 47 — The Skyhawks advanced to the semifinals by beating the Crusaders.

Tae’lor Monroe had 21 points to lead Silverado, and Lainhart added 19 points.

Desert Oasis 46, Shadow Ridge 21 — Auburn Smith scored 13 points to help the Diamondbacks rout the Mustangs.

Sammi Tso added nine points for Desert Oasis.

Pueblo East (Colo.) 51, Desert Oasis 42 — Tatiana Kearn scored 16 points to lead the

Diamondbacks, who saw a close game evaporate in the third quarter.

Damonte Ranch 51, Shadow Ridge 20 — Shadow Ridge was held to two third-quarter points in a loss to Damonte Ranch.

Niki Lawson scored six points to lead Shadow Ridge.

Denver East (Colo.) 51, Foothill 39 — Cheryl Harless scored 13 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Falcons from falling to the Angels.

San Clemente (Calif.) 47, Rancho 29 — Mariah Coleman scored eight points to lead the Rams, who allowed 28 points to San Clemente in the first quarter.

Liberty 65, Rancho 33 — Destiny Whitehead scored 16 points to help the Patriots roll past the Rams.

Annelli Torres scored 10 points to pace Rancho.

Las Vegas 56, San Clemente 55 — The Wildcats jumped to an early lead and held off San Clemente’s late rally to net the victory.

Shauntovia Luckie scored 13 points to lead Las Vegas.

Liberty 75, Las Vegas 35 — Jade Washington scored 17 points and Destiny Whitehead added 16 points to help the Patriots roll to an easy victory over the Wildcats.

Shomari Harris scored 18 points for Las Vegas.

Pleasant Grove (Utah) 44, Foothill 42 — Samantha Gruettner scored 11 points for the Falcons, who saw their late rally from an early deficit come one play short.

Faith Lutheran 42, Tech 37 — Kelsey McCourt scored 17 points to help the Crusaders edge the Roadrunners.

Mesha Phillips scored 13 points to lead Tech, which slowly fell behind in the second half.

Mt. Eden (Calif.) 59, Bonanza 25 — Tranee Jenkins scored 10 points to help the Bengals, who were unable to recover from a 30-15 halftime deficit.

Marina (Calif.) 65, Del Sol 25 — Brittany Collins scored six points to lead the Dragons in the loss.

Basic 63, Spring Valley 38 — Shanice Valentine and Kailai Brantner each scored 16 points to lift the Wolves over the Grizzlies.

Jessica Stevens scored a game-high 18 points to lead Spring Valley.

Boulder City 60, Spring Valley 40 — Taylor McKeaver scored 12 points to help the Eagles cruise past the Grizzlies.

Stevens scored 19 points to lead Spring Valley, which trailed by 22 points at halftime.

Del Sol 54, Bonanza 48 — Katie Fischer scored 17 points to lead the Dragons past the Bengals.

Jessica Gallegos scored 21 points for Bonanza, which trailed 33-23 at halftime.

Cheyenne 53, Boulder City 44 — Amanda Fluker scored 17 points to help the Desert Shields rally from a two-point halftime deficit and beat the Eagles.

Whitney Barlow led Boulder City with 14 points.

Cheyenne 63, Basic 43 — Hannah Tatum scored 17 points to lead the Desert Shields, who took over in the second quarter and rolled past the Wolves.

Brantner scored 21 for Basic.