Third Times A Charm For Cromwell Girls

This 3-pointer by Christina Stenson Broke a 51-51 tie with three seconds remaining to give the Cromwell Cardinals a 54-51 Section 7a playoff win for the Cardinals.
Photo: Wes Vork-NSO

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Mar 1, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

ESKO- With the Cromwell Cardinals and the McGregor Mercuries meeting for the third time this season basketball fans knew it would be a tight game. The outcome was different from the first two meetings as junior guard Christina Stenson buried a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining to give the Cardinals a 54-51 victory in the second round of the girl’s Section 7A playoffs Thursday night.

The Cromwell Cardinals and the Mercuries had met twice prior this season and it was McGregor winning both times by very close margins. McGregor won 68-64 back in the beginning of January, and two weeks ago it was a three point 70-67 win in McGregor. This time however the Cardinals captured the most important win of the season as they advance to the section quarterfinals on Saturday night.

The Mercuries and the Cardinals battled back and forth in the first half, with neither team taking more than a four point lead. The game featured seven ties and nine lead changes in the first half. The Cardinals took a four point 26-22 lead into the locker room at half time when Marlene Wester nailed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the half.

The second half saw the Mercuries come storming back and aided by Cromwell foul trouble, the Mercuries built up a seven point 43-36 lead midway through the second half. Cromwell however, did not quit as they continued to battle their way back into the game and eventually tied the game at 51-51.

With less than 30 seconds to go, the Mercuries had several chances to put points on the board but were unable to capitalize with their chances. After in inbounds by McGregor, Ann Collman tied up a McGregor player for a jump ball; and with the possession arrow in favor of the Cardinals, they moved the ball into the front court and called time out with 15 seconds to play.

With the final offensive play set, Cromwell took the ball in and with McGregor keying on the Cardinals senior post MaKayleigh Cahoon, the Cardinal swung the ball to the opposite side of the floor to Stenson who nailed the 3-pointer with three seconds remaining. The Mercuries were called for traveling as they inbounded the ball and Cromwell ran out the clock to advance to the Section 7A quarterfinals Saturday night against Cook County.

The Cardinals were led by MaKayleigh Cahoon, who finished with 20 points on the night. Marlene Wester added 12, Ann Collman had 8, Brittany Johnson and Stenson both added 5, Allie Cahoon and Samantha Suhonen each finished with 2 points for the Cardinals who now improve to 12-3 overall on the season.

The Mercuries were led by sophomore guard Abby Hawkinson, who scored a game high 26 points. Kendra Mickelson added 9, MaKaiyla Collins finished with 6, Gretchen Grams and Korrina Mickelson both had 4, and it was Stacia Staska who closed the McGregor scoring with 2 points on the night. The Mercuries finish the 2011-2012 season with an overall record of 15-11.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com