KELSEYVILLE — There was absolutely no give-up in the Kelseyville Knights on Friday night against St. Bernard of Eureka in the winner”s semifinal round of the 36th annual Stokes Invitational Basketball Tournament at Kelseyville High School.
After allowing several second-chance baskets in the first quarter as the Crusaders built an 18-7 lead, the Knights came storming back to beat St. Bernard 53-51 in overtime.
“We didn”t let up for a minute,” Kelseyville coach Caitlin Andrus said of the mood of her club following a disappointing first quarter. “We just kept at it ? I”m so proud of these girls.”
Only four points were scored in the overtime period, three of them by the Knights, who advance to tonight”s championship game against Hoopa at 6 p.m. Jodi Snider scored the only basket in the extra period to give Kelseyville a 52-50 lead. St. Bernard hit one of two free throws late in the overtime period to make it a one-point game, but Maille McCallister sank one of two free throws with 20 seconds left to give the Knights a two-point cushion.
Kelseyville mixed up its defenses after the first quarter, switching between man and zone, and the strategy appeared to work, according to Andrus.
“They couldn”t get comfortable,” Andrus said. “Their best shooter (Michaela Redner, 22 points) was frustrated. She was shooting NBA threes (3-pointers).”
Kelseyville (8-4) outscored St. Bernard 16-3 in the second quarter to take a 23-21 halftime lead. The Knights took a 37-35 lead into the final period.
Jodi Snider led the Knights with 15 points, Skyler Olsen added nine and Allyson Brown and Amanda Mueller each had eight.
“Allyson Brown played fantastic defense,” Andrus said. “She showed wonderful leadership and took control out there like a senior should.”
Andrus also praised the play of McCallister, Mueller and Monique Santana.
