Warren, OH -- Sometimes the moment is never too big for a player, and that was exactly what senior captain
Alli Kanagy did tonight, draining a game-winning three to lift West Branch to victory over Howland.
The Tigers came into the matchup having won just four games, but their team was playing solid basketball and proving better than their record suggested. Meanwhile, Coach DeShields' Warriors aimed to bounce back after a narrow two-point loss to Canfield last week. West Branch jumped out to an early 12–6 lead, yet Howland battled back and kept it close, trailing by only eight at halftime, 26–18.
The second half proved to be a hard-fought battle as both teams played with intensity. West Branch extended their lead to nine points by the end of the third quarter, appearing to pull away. Howland, however, regrouped behind a strong second-half effort from Maya Kubancsek, who proved difficult to contain.With the game tied at 38 and just 24 seconds remaining, Howland's Talia Rishel drove to the basket, converted a layup, and put the Tigers ahead 40–38.
As the Warriors scrambled for a final shot, senior captain
Alli Kanagy delivered one of the biggest baskets of her season and career, hitting the game-winning three with just under six seconds left. It was her only points of the night, but they were undoubtedly the most important, delivering West Branch a 41–40 win in the final seconds.
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