The dynasty is still very much alive.
Desiree Durant hit a pair of go-ahead of jumpers before Finals MVP Nikita President scored two decisive free throws with 29 seconds left as Graydon Sealy copped yet another WIBISCO Girls’ Basketball title via yesterday’s 41-38 nail-biter over Springer at the Wildey Gym.
The three-point thriller proved the cap to a second successive title-game victory against their rivals, and third straight championship overall for the Paddock Road side, who have now accounted for nine of the last 12 cups.
And this latest success was just that much sweeter, as the champs had to survive a menacing Springer rally before Shonica Wharton was lost to injury and fellow starter Rashida Chase fouled out in the fourth quarter.
But as was the case in each of their championship runs, someone inevitably stepped up – even the unlikeliest of them.
With Springer threatening to blow open the game to start the fourth, Durant looked more star than little-used reserve, immediately sinking two jumpers off the bench to help Graydon Sealy transform a six-point deficit (33-27) into a four-point (39-35) lead.
This was after Durant already had a hand in ending an ominous Springer run by hitting two jumpers in response to some telling fast break baskets from opposing guards Renee Burke and Zakiya Kirton.
However, Durant’s initial burst proved insignificant, with Burke scoring on a nifty euro-step drive (the player steps in one direction and then steps in another direction to evade defenders) and a buzzer-beating jumper to end the third while Kirton’s lay-up on the other side of the break put Springer ahead 33-27.
The game seemingly went from bad to worse for the champs when Wharton had to leave the court after suffering a nasty ankle injury with 7:34 remaining.
It proved more than enough time for Durant to make her mark on the contest, as the lanky forward drained two mid-range shots before President added one of her own.
Chase fouled out just moments later, though, and Springer had two opportunities to take the lead in the final minute after Kirton reduced the deficit to just one point (39-38) when she split a pair of game-tying free throws.
But point guard Hannisha Hoyte squandered both chances, throwing a pass intended for Burke out of bounds before blowing an easy fast break opportunity by double-dribbling.
To make matters worse, Hoyte then picked up a technical for arguing the call, leading to two free throws from President that gave Graydon Sealy a three-point cushion with 29.5 seconds left.
Springer still had a glimmer of hope when they forced a shot clock violation at the other end, but Burke was forced to heave a desperation shot from half court that went wide left at the buzzer.
