Eric Pouncy Jr. likes a close game.
Scott’s girls basketball coach got his wish Tuesday and much more. The Eagles advanced to the 37th District championship game with a 33-30 win over Bishop Brossart at Campbell County Middle School.
“I tried to stay calm for most of it just to keep our kids controlled,” Pouncy said. “Typically, the saying is ‘First to 40 typically wins this game’, but … nobody got there.”
The Eagles should thank Noelle Price. Her game-high 16 points included a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:40 left and two free throws with 51.3 seconds to go.
“I was a little nervous, but I knew my team was going to pull out whatever we needed to do to get the win, whether it was close or not,” Price said.
Price thanked junior guard Kaia Peterson for the assist that led to the bucket.
“You’re welcome,” Peterson replied.
Besides a date with Campbell County in Thursday’s final (tip time is 7 p.m.), Scott and the Camels advance to the 10thRegion tournament beginning Monday at Bourbon County. What may be more pleasing is that the Eagles ended a five-game losing streak to the Lady ‘Stangs.
Price’s points down the stretch were as needed as a down parka, three sweaters, two scarves, a wool cap and mittens near Mackay, Idaho, where the National Weather Service reported a low temperature of minus-13 degrees Tuesday morning.
After Ariana Patterson’s two free throws with 58.1 ticks remaining, Brossart’s Greylee Kramer knocked down a 3 (she led the Lady ‘Stangs with 11 points) with 40 seconds to go, and Kylie Smith’s layup five seconds later trimmed Scott’s lead to 31-30.
As important as Price’s scoring was, Scott (17-12) is still playing because of the defense Kourtney Peterson (Kaia’s sister) and Patterson played. They often blunted Brossart drives in the paint and held leading scorers Zoee Meyers (11.4 points a game going into Tuesday) and Rachel Shewmaker (10.5) to three and five points, respectively.
Patterson also had six rebounds, and Kaia Peterson blocked four shots.
Kaia Peterson had intended to drive left of the lane, but she drew a double-team – and saw Price unguarded. “I saw Noelle out of the corner of my eye when the defender came,” Peterson said.
“(Price) just made it,” Brossart coach Steve Brown said. “We didn’t rotate out; she’s a good shooter.”
Tuesday proved one more thing: You don’t always need lots of offense to have an exciting game. There were seven lead changes and three ties, and neither Scott nor Brossart (18-9) led by more than three.
Brossart turned in some fourth-quarter defensive gems, too. One was crucial: Meyers blocked Nakiah Mejia’s attempted layup a little less than two minutes in.
After Kaia Peterson’s two free throws with 32.8 seconds left ended the scoring, Meyers’ 3-point attempt hit the back of the rim.
“We talked about being patient on our shots,” Brown said. “But you get in a game like this with not a lot of people that have played in these games, the ball just didn’t go in.”
Campbell County and Scott meet for the boys district title at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
EAGLES 33, LADY ‘STANGS 30
SCOTT 11 7 5 10 – 33
BISHOP BROSSART 9 8 5 8 – 30
Scott (33) — Price 16, Patterson 2, Mejia 4, Kaia Peterson 6, Kourtney Peterson 5. 3-Pt. FG: 2 (Price 2). FT: 13-14. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.
Bishop Brossart (30) — Walters 1, Smith 10, Z. Meyers 3, Shewmaker 5, Kramer 11. 3-Pt. FG: 2 (Kramer 2). FT: 10-17. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. Records: Scott 17-12, Bishop Brossart 18-9.