Keegan Uhl provided some late game heroics in a see-saw battle between West Holmes (16-6, 13-1) and Clear Fork (15-7, 10-4), with the senior drilling a go-ahead three late in the fourth quarter to beat the Colts 41-38 on Senior Night.
The win secured the outright Ohio Cardinal Conference title for the Knights.
It was a tight game throughout, with the game tied 20-20 at halftime and 30-30 after three quarters. The second half was especially close, as there were five lead changes.
Clear Fork took a 38-36 lead with 1:31 on the clock when Lillian Weikel took it to the hole for a layup. Zalina Proper had an open look from three to take the lead, but it front rimmed back into the hands of the Colts. With 1:07 left, Keegan Uhl got called for a foul in the backcourt when the Knights were working a full court press. With 46 seconds left, Allie McMillen made a huge play where she poked away the ball and took it to the basket. She used a nice spin move near the hoop and was fouled on a shot that just missed landing.
McMillen went to the line and made her first of two free throws. She missed the second, but was able to grab her own rebound on a heads up play. McMillen dished it out to Uhl, who is a sharp shooter waiting for this opportunity behind the three-point line. Uhl dribbled left and drained a three with a hand in her face, taking a 40-38 lead with 42 seconds to go.
Clear Fork fouled Uhl intentionally with 22 seconds left and she went to the foul line for critical free throws. Her first one was good, and it made it a three point lead for the Knights. Her second attempt missed, and Clear Fork had 17 seconds left when they took a timeout. West Holmes finished off the game playing tenacious half-court defense, with Uhl getting a hand in at five seconds. Clear Fork maintained possession and took their final timeout due to the pressure.
Clear Fork’s Annika Labaka inbounded the pass to Weikel. She found Brinley Barnett for three, but Chloe Patten had a huge block to secure the win as time expired.
Uhl not only had the game’s final four points that included the game winner, but she also led the team with 12 points. She was 2-for-3 from beyond the arc and was 2-for-4 from the foul line, which included one in the final seconds to make it a three point game. Uhl also tallied five rebounds and a steal.
McMillen put together a stat sheet stuffing night where she had eight points, six assists, five boards, five steals. Patten had five points, seven boards, three steals and two blocks including the big rejection to end the game.
“Allie McMillen always finds ways to make big plays in big games,” said Coach Lindsy Belden. “She is one of those kids who you are just glad to have on your team. Keegan Uhl made a big shot for us, off a pass from McMillen. They have worked really well together all year. Also, Chloe Patten stepped up big on senior night with some huge rebounds for us, and just overall leadership that our team needed.
Briar Cline had four points and five rebounds, while Nealie Fair, Aveona Yoder and Proper each added four points.
It was a great way to finish the regular season after dropping a game to Triway, especially being in front of a home crowd for Senior Night.
“I think that game is one that our seniors will remember for a long time,” Belden said. “ And then to top off our win against Clear Fork, we found out that we won the league right after our game was over. It was a high energy night for our players, and hopefully will keep us rolling into tournaments.
Belden said the team is looking forward to the playoffs and the opportunity for the team to make a strong postseason push.
“Our team is really hungry for a district title, as we have played in the district final the past three years, but haven't won that game,” said Belden. “Most of these players have been part of those losses, and we are excited to get the district title this year. Every single player on our team is dedicated to achieving this goal, and has the mentality that it is about the overall goal.”
No. 5 West Holmes hosts No. 15 Minerva (5-15) in the first round of the Division II, East 2 Sectional/District tournament on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.
