MIDDLETOWN — Kelsie Shoffeitt made two free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Lower Lake Trojans a dramatic 59-58 win over the Middletown Mustangs in North Central League I varsity girls” basketball action on Friday night in Middletown.
It was a make-or-break type of game for the Trojans (6-2 league, 15-5 overall) at the free-throw line as they missed two free throws late in the fourth quarter that would have won it.
Given a second chance to win the game in overtime, the Mustangs (2-6, 5-14) couldn”t take advantage, according to Middletown coach Tony Hart.
“We went 10-for-24 from the free-throw line, that”s not even 50 percent. You”re going to end up losing a lot of games in overtime shooting like that.”
Shoffeitt had no such problem from the line, going 7-fo-10 as part of her team-leading 17-point effort.
“She had a good night,” Hart said of Shoffeitt, who helped pick up the slack for injured teammate April White.
“She lost a tooth in the first quarter and left the game,” Hart said. “Kelsie kind of stepped up big for them.”
Amber Hart did likewise for the Mustangs, scoring 16 of her team-leading 22 points in the first half as Middletown opened up a 30-28 lead. The Mustangs took a 40-34 advantage into the final period.
“Amber had a great night, she was on fire,” Hart said.
It”s the third straight thrilling finish and second consecutive overtime game for the Mustangs, who beat Clear Lake 55-51 in double-overtime on Tuesday in Lakeport. Prior to that, they lost 41-40 to Cloverdale.
“I guess I need to go to church more,” Hart said.
Zobee Miller (13 points) and Shadae White (10 points) scored in double figures for Lower Lake.
Rachel Sutton had 12 points for the Mustangs, Marie Crim added eight and Kayla Farr had seven.
