The real soul-tugger game in this 2013 Minnesota State Girls Tournament for me anyway easily had to be this 6 P.M. titanic semifinal clash between two old rivals - Providence Academy and Braham. Braham had eliminated the Lions two years ago in the semifinals; in fact, had beaten them in heart-breaking fashion in a regular season game that same season as well so there would be some emotion in this one. Braham, of course, was unbeaten and being led by the great Rebekah Dahlman and Providence Academy was being led by point guard Leah Szabla and fellow senior Taylor Finley. The other big thing in this one is that both teams have VERY contrasting styles - the up-tempo, fast break style that Braham favors against the slow it down, patient half-court offense that is Providence Academy. Needless to say, I had been waiting in great anticipation for this one.
Braham built an early 7-4 lead in the first half thanks to "3's" from both Dahlman and junior Jenna Winter and Providence Academy had some difficulty running that famous patient, half-court offense of theirs. Another "3" by Dahlman and then a steal and breakaway lay-up by senior Dani Braund that got her fouled and allowed her to sink one freebie pushed the Bomber lead to 13-6 by the 11:50 mark and Providence Academy definitely seemed rattled. Braham pushed the lead to as much as 19-8 before a "3" by Providence Academy senior Taylor Finley cut into the deficit a bit. With 6:23 left, Braham had increased their lead to 23-11 and, worse yet for the Lions, they were forcing Providence Academy to play their up-tempo game which is not what they wanted to do and, you had to think that, at some point anyway, the Providence Academy Head Coach Ray Finley would have to roll the dice and change some things up. The foul situation was also becoming a problem as Finley picked up her second foul and then junior post McKenna Hapke picked up her third foul with 2:25 left. Still, somehow, someway this resourceful Providence Academy found a way to battle back and was able to knot the score at 25-all with less than thirty seconds left before another very late foray into the paint and finish enabled the Bombers to take a slim advantage into the locker room at the half. As expected, Dahlman led the way for Braham with 14 points while Szabla's 13 hard-earned points paced Providence Academy. The big question now for the Lions was could they somehow get a two-possession advantage and then utilize their famous (or infamous, depending upon your point of view) clock-eating patient offense to pull off the upset?
Providence Academy would take two brief leads early on in the second half but with 10:59 remaining, the issue was tied at 32 a piece and that's all the Lions needed to start taking some of the air out of the ball. With 8:35 left, a hard drive into the paint by Dahlman drew a foul by Happke which was her fifth and forced Providence Academy Head Coach Ray Finley to insert sophomore Ashley Borland. More important, it was quite evident that things were getting chippy out on the floor - and in the stands as well. With 5:57 left, a hard drive into the paint by Braham junior Kayla Nickles drew a foul by Szabla, her fourth, and the obligatory freebie made it 38-34. With 4:27 left, Szabla grabbed a rebound and started to head the other way but, in doing so, inadvertently lowered her shoulder into Dahlman and was whistled for her fifth and final foul that sent the Lions best player to the bench. Providence Academy had not been having much luck from behind the arc either and with 3:30 left, Dahlman hit two free throws after being fouled to make it a 40-36 game and now the Lions had no choice but to roll the dice some. With 2:32 left, Taylor Finley picked up her fourth foul as Providence Academy's situation became even more dire as they were down 42-36. With 1:34 left Taylor Finley fouled out on a somewhat controversial call and now Nathalie Ratliff was the only experienced starter left out there for the Lions. With :45.4 left Dahlman snared a steal and drove the other way for a lay-up where she was fouled in the process that made it 46-38 that, for all intents and purposes, was the game.
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