Hoban Edges Padua in OT Thriller, 60-57

Archbishop Hoban’s North Coast League clash against Padua (11-2, 3-1) lived up to the hype, as the Knights held off the Bruins 60-57 in overtime to even up the standings and move into a tie for first place in the conference.

Hoban (8-5, 3-1) was led by 19 points from sophomore guard Emma Tecca, but received timely contributions from a multitude of players, especially Leah Hall, who scored five points in overtime.

Padua was in control early on, leading by as many as 14 early in the second quarter, but the Knights fought back to cut the deficit to four heading into halftime.

“I thought the key to the game was us cutting it to four at halftime,” said Hoban coach Scott Callaghan.

“When we walked to the locker room, we knew that we could play with Padua, and I think some of our kids weren’t certain before that, with their youth and inexperience in big game situations.”

The Knights rely on senior Rachel Chessar to be a player/coach on the floor, while the rest of the rotation is made up of underclassmen.

Going up against a team of four talented senior starters, it’s understandable why the young Knights were in for a more than formidable challenge.

“In the first quarter, Padua got every 50/50 ball and dictated the pace of the game. We were reacting instead of responding to the moment, but I was very pleased with our composure.” said Callaghan.

Hoban’s poise and composure was a major reason why the Knights were able to get within striking distance before halftime, but especially came into play in the third quarter, when Tecca erupted for 10 points, after scoring only four in the first half.

“That was my biggest issue with that third quarter. We just gave her so much space,” said Padua coach Dan Brown.

“When you give her space, she’s already a step ahead of you.”

Tecca’s ability to hit shots from all over the floor, as well as attack the basket, gave Padua problems and attributed to getting the North Coast League’s leading scorer, Elena Rouhe into foul trouble in the third period.

Rouhe scored 11 points in the first half, but went scoreless in the third quarter.

Although Padua’s offense suffered a bit from having Rauhe on the bench due to foul trouble, several players, including Alex Pillin (11 points, 11 rebounds), Alainna Conroy (team-high 15 points), and Sarah Rapacz (11 rebounds) stepped up to keep the Bruins in the game.

“We didn’t stop playing, we didn’t stop fighting, and no matter what the challenges were, we kept battling,” said Brown.

“That’s the sign of a really good team.”

Hoban led 39-37 heading into the fourth and a back-and-forth battle ensued from there.

Tecca continued to deliver in the fourth quarter, helping Hoban build its lead up to six points with just over a minute left in regulation, getting it done on both ends of the floor.

Another huge basket for Emma Tecca gives @HobanGirlsHoops a 6 pt lead with just over a minute to play.

20 pts for Tecca pic.twitter.com/ZnyFiS3GYu

— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) January 14, 2017

The Knights were in control for most of the fourth period, but Rouhe, who had four fouls, made her mark again, finding senior guard Ali Medaglia in the corner to cut the deficit to one with 38 seconds left.

Rauhe finds Medaglia for a corner three.

51-50 38 seconds left pic.twitter.com/14221Tgpqo

— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) January 14, 2017

The senior guard leads her team in 3PTM and Callaghan called her “the best shooter in the (North Coast) League, along with Chessar.”

Padua had a chance to tie on its next possession, and right on cue, Rauhe drained a cold-blooded three to even the score at 53.

Elena Rauhe for 3!!!

Ties it at 53 with 20 seconds left!

@PaduaHoops pic.twitter.com/b5ZmFpmYFW

— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) January 14, 2017

“She’s just a gamer. Both of those shots we made down the stretch showed a lot of confidence,” said Brown.

The game would head to overtime and Hall, who had a quiet first four quarters in the scoring department, made her presence felt.

Hoban led 57-55 with 1:36 left in OT, when Hall swiped a steal and drove down the court, drawing a foul under the hoop to get to the line.

Leah Hall with a big steal, leading to two free throws in Saturday's win for Hoban. pic.twitter.com/rCXc4seZEX

— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) January 14, 2017

She promptly hit both free throws to make it a two-possession game.

Roughly one minute later, she came up with another big play.

Leah Hall's other big steal in overtime for Hoban, helping to seal the deal. pic.twitter.com/XndEcmQ7mA

— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) January 14, 2017

Callaghan was proud of the junior guard for stepping up in crunch time.

“I couldn’t be happier for her. She’s been by far our best vocal leader and she really walked the walk today,” the coach stated.

“Her action allowed us to beat a great team and get back in the league.”

Aside from Hall, the Knights received big contributions out of Chessar (9 points, two 3-pointers) and Jackie Roberts (12 points), who lifted Hoban in some of the brief moments when Tecca was not leading the way on offense.

The highly recruited sophomore was proud of her team for picking up an important win against a conference rival.

“We really just played together and played with a lot of heart out there,” said Tecca.

“It’s an amazing feeling and I think we’re all really happy right now.”

Her coach felt the game was a big step for the young player, who has loads of talent, and showed it on an important stage.

“I think it was big for her,” said Callaghan.

“With the makeup of our roster, we’re kind of putting her in situations that really should be reserved for a senior. She’s such a driven person, not only to be a good basketball player, but to be a great teammate, and when she has big moments, it’s very pleasing to the coaches.”

It couldn’t have come in a bigger game so far in the regular season, as Hoban entered play one game back in the standings and knew it had to win this game to be in control of its own destiny to try to win a third-straight North Coast League title.

Meanwhile, Brown wasn’t thrilled with losing in heartbreaking fashion to his former head coach and mentor, but knows the Bruins are still in a good position after four conference games.

“It was a similar game to last year in a lot of ways. The third quarter was the difference,” said Brown.

Padua was already one game behind Hoban for first place in the conference when the Bruins arrived in Akron this time last year.

Hoban won a nail-biter, 51-49, and was in control of the conference the rest of the way.

“We had the same feeling (at the end of the game) this time last year, but we knew we needed help to win the conference last year. Now, we don’t need help. We just have to take care of our business until we face them at our place in early February.”

The two teams meet again on Feb. 13 at Padua and if both teams maintain their great starts to NCL play, it could end up determining the conference championship.