Concord 36, Manchester Memorial 30, 2OT
Key players: Concord – Delaney Duford (10 points), Elizabeth Blinn (8 points), Rose Layton (8 points); Memorial – Elizabeth Barrientos (11 points), Erin McCoy (6 points)
Highlights: After a sluggish 4-4 start in the first quarter, the Tide couldn’t get a basket in the second quarter, trailing 13-4 at halftime. Blinn and Duford hit clutch free throws and Concord had a 27 second defensive stand to force overtime. Aidah Smalley hit a 3 and the Tide hit more clutch free throws to secure its ninth straight victory.
Coach’s quote: “Just wow. When you think of a double overtime game, you think the game could be in the 80s not the 30s. We had to learn a new way to win tonight. With all of the Senior Night festivities, emotions were running high all day. Our kids were out of it mentally and emotionally for most of the game. When this happens, it is almost impossible to work through that situation. We learned tonight that we can do it. I am so proud of them. The one constant for us was our defense. We struggled offensively, but our defense allowed us to stay in it until we were able to knock some shots down. Tonight was about our seniors, Elizabeth Blinn and Elli Cox. What they have done for our program has been incredible. They are great basketball players, and even better people. Our program isn’t where it is today without those two.” – Concord’s Tim LaTorra
Records: Concord 14-3; Memorial 8-9