A sterling late game performance by Edrea Navarro sparked Cordova to a 53-52 double overtime win against here on Jan. 14. The 5-0 sophomore poured in 20 points, with 13 of those coming in the extra stanzas. She hit a clutch three-pointer at the buzzer to force the first overtime; and with Cordova down to 4 players after losing three starters on fouls, drained a big three plus the free throw after being fouled to put Cordova ahead in the second overtime. Toss in an amazing off-balance running lay-in late in the game, and it was a night to remember for her and the wildly cheering Cordova crowd.
Coach Brad Sjostedt had to go with a 2-2 box zone for the final three minutes of the second four minute overtime, when 5-10 sophomore Riley Butler fouled out after scoring 15 points. Leigha Peebles, Cordova’s only senior, and at 5-11 their tallest player, exited earlier on fouls after scoring 10 points.
Sjostedt credited his squad for their late game heroics. “They did it themselves, and had a great comeback after a slow start. That second overtime was something else.”
Sharpshooting Ellie Bietsch led Su-Valley with 26 points, including 5 threes.
Friday’s game came close to being an overtime battle. Peebles hit a free throw to tie the score 32-32 with 8 seconds to go, but Cordova fouled Bietsch with 1.8 seconds left, and she made one free throw to give Su-Valley the 33-32 win.
Butler and Navarro topped Cordova’s scoring with 8 points apiece; Bietsch finished with 20 for the Rams.
The series split gives Cordova a 3-1 record in Conference play, and an overall record of 4-4 so far this season.
The Lady Wolverines will face Eielson, Dimond JV’s, and Unalaska in a highly competitive Tipoff tournament, which began here yesterday, Jan. 18. Cordova lost to Unalaska 31-25 in the Rally the Regions tournament three weeks ago. It has been several years since the Lady W’s played former 3A Aurora Conference rival Eielson, and Dimond’s 4A varsity girls continue to dominate Anchorage area basketball.
Individual scoring:
Game 1: Cordova: Bourgeois 6, Tabara 2, Navarro 8, Martinez 2, Butler 8, Peebles 6. Su-Valley: Henke 6, Johnston, D. 2, Bietsch 20, Johnston, E. 5. Game 2: Cordova: Bourgeois 6, Tabara 2, Navarro 20, Butler 15, Peebles 10. Su-Valley: Mischerko 1, Henke 7, Johnston, D. 10, Bietsch 26, Johnston, E. 8.
