I have to admit that, the ONE game I was really looking forward to taking in today was the Class AA Championship game that featured undefeated Braham, led by its superstar, Rebekah Dahlman and New Richland-H-E-G, led by its superstar, Carlie Wagner. Last year, the Panthers unceremoniously dumped Braham in the state quarterfinals and you had to think that Braham was seeking a measure of revenge in this one at the very least. The question in my mind was if Braham could prevent a repeat of last year; especially considering their lofty 32-0 record.
The first seven minutes in the first half saw New Richland-H-E-G getting out to an 11-6 lead by the 10:53 mark as (shock of all shocks) Carlie Wagner was leading the way with pull-up jumpers in transition or uncorking a "3" from the top of the key. Dahlman, on the other hand, had recorded only one score up to this point and had already collected her first foul. With 9:04 left, the Panthers had extended their lead to 15-6 and Braham was already in some trouble as they simply could not stop Wagner streaking down the court where she could either knock down a pull-up jumper or finish with a lay-up. With 8:35 left, Dahlman picked up her second foul on a somewhat controversial play under the Braham basket that had Target Center howling. At the 7:17 mark, Dahlman inexplicably picked up her third foul that sent her to the bench as New Richland-H-E-G now had their chance to build their lead. To their credit, Braham hung tough, however, and kept themselves within striking distance trailing 27-15 at the half. But, without question, they would have to come out on fire in the second half to stem the Panther momentum. Nobody claim close to Carlie Wagner's 19 first half points on the New Richland-H-E-G side. Braham was led by Jaclyn Hollenkamp's 6 points while Dani Braund had five first half points for the Bombers.
And in the opening minutes of the second half, it very much indeed looked as if Braham had come out with a new determination as Dahlman suddenly came alive. The Bombers whittled the New Richland-H-E-G advantage to 31-28 at the 14:01 mark and it was definitely a new ball game now. A jumper by Dahlman at the 11:31 mark sliced the Panther lead down to 35-34 and then "3" by Kayla Nickles gave Braham its first lead of the day at 37-35 that had Target Center rocking and had New Richland-H-E-G Head Coach John Schultz calling for a timeout to try and stem this sudden Braham surge. Things were looking good for Braham but, with 7:38 left, those hopes took a jolt when Dahlman picked up foul #4 on a charging call. Slowly, Braham's fortunes began to fade. And, when New Richland-H-E-G needed her most, Carlie Wagner was just phenomenal when it counted: a "3" from the top of the key with 5:23 left, a jumper with 4:59 left, and then a drive and finish that got her fouled and allowed her to sink the freebie made it a 54-45 game with 3:44 left. With 2:02 left, a drive and finish by Wagner in transition made it a 58-51 game that had Braham hanging by a thread. A lay-up by Nickles with 1:27 left cut the Panther lead down to 58-55; still time for the Bombers to make up lost ground. A lay-up by Dahlman with 1:12 left cut the deficit to one at 58-57. Braham's hopes appeared dashed for good when Dahlman finally fouled out with :37.4 left but a steal and lay-up by Nickles with 26.2 left tied it up at 59-all. With :06.1left, Wagner was fouled on a drive but made only one free throw which gave Braham one last chance to steal this. But when Nickles drove up the court with the ball she had the ball stolen away from her by Carlie Wagner and that sealed the deal - and championship - for the Panthers as New Richland H-E-G claimed the Class AA title with an incredibly thrilling 60-59 win.
I have to be honest here....These kinds of games; particularly at the high school level, are so incredibly tough to write about because there's so much emotion here. You can see it, feel it, taste it and when it's over and someone loses a game like this, you can't help but feel the sadness for the losing team. Those tears are real and those hearts are simply crushed. I know it's not the greatest analogy, but I remember how heartbroken I was when my Los Angeles Rams lost to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl 14 when it appeared they were on their way to victory. I remember how crushed I was when I lost a tough match in a junior tournament in a tough three-setter and how I cried afterward. You just don't forget those things and when you see it happening to someone else, you remember the feeling well.
It was only fitting that Carlie Wagner not only broke 5 tournament records but also tied another one in the process. She broke her own tournament scoring record; netting an amazing 50 points to help lead her team to victory today. When asked what was going on in her head in those last few final frantic seconds, she admitted that she wasn't "thinking" at all; it was more a matter of just reacting and doing what came naturally. Paige Overgaard said "It was all about heart" and that "We just wanted it so badly." Dahlman, who scored 30 of her 32 points in the second half, led the way from Braham and Kayla Nickles finished with 12 points.
All I can say after this one is, WOW....WHAT a game.
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