How close was the Lady Panthers’ epic basketball match at Sweet Grass last Saturday? Here’s how close it was: Through 32 minutes of regular time, neither team could scratch out more than a four-point advantage. The four-point cushion in question belonged to the Herders with just 1:12 left in the game – but the Panthers tied the score to force overtime.
In that extra period, the Herders stretched their lead to seven with just 50 seconds remaining. Game over, right? Not just yet. Grace Jones sank a free throw. Rachel VanBlaricom hit a two and two free throws. The Herders made a free throw. All of which made it 58-55, a three-point Sweet Grass edge, with 11 seconds on the clock.
You know what comes next. The Panthers race down the floor. The ball comes to VanBlaricom. She puts up a three-pointer. The shot hits the rim, rattles around, and then…pops out. Buzzer sounds. Herder fans heave sighs of relief.
