ANGOLA - Sophomore Taylor Goshert scored 18 points, including 4 of 4 from the free throw line in overtime, to give Wawasee a thrilling 42-37 victory over Northwood in Friday's first sectional semifinal game at Angola High School.
The win puts the Warriors in tonight's 7:30 p.m. title game against fellow Northern Lakes Conference school Northridge, which beat West Noble 51-42. The Warriors and Raiders played in the regular season finale, with Wawasee pulling out a 41-37 win.
"It was a great win for us tonight," said Wawasee coach Kem Zolman. "This team has not given up all year. They just keep battling back every game."
Wawasee had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation but Shawn Knafel's shot careened off the front of the rim as time ran out.
"We didn't hit some key free throws toward the end of the game," said NorthWood coach Steve Neff. "We also didn't get some defensive stops that allowed Wawasee to climb back. Congratulations to Wawasee for the win."
Meagan Walker hit a three-point shot with 1:58 left in overtime to give the Warriors their first lead since early in the second half. Her only basket of the game gave Wawasee a 38-35 lead and appeared to relax the rest of the team.
"Meagan has hit some huge shots for us all year," said Zolman. "She has done that throughout her career here."
Goshert, who led all scorers in the game, shot 11 of 14 from the foul line. The Warriors shot 18 of 25 as a team, compared to the Panthers, who shot 9 of 12.
"Taylor Goshert is a great player," said Zolman. "She is ready to play when she gets out of bed in the morning. She just needs to calm down a little. (Tonight) is our third game. Maybe she will calm down enough to play her game."
"It appeared at times as though we were watching a hockey game instead of a girl's basketball game," said Neff. "When the other team has 13 more fouls shots than you that just gives them more opportunities to score. Wawasee was definitely the aggressor tonight."
Northwood, down 11-9 after one quarter of play, came out on fire in the second quarter. Mandy Yoder led the Panthers on a 9-0 run to take a 20-11 lead.
"Congratulations to Coach Neff and the Northwood team," said Zolman. "I have to congratulate Many Yoder, who is a senior. She has had a great career (at NorthWood). We have had to face her for four years."
Wawasee came back with 7-0 run to cut the lead at halftime to 20-18. The Warriors didn't lead again until overtime.
"We knew they were going to have some good runs against us tonight," said Zolman. "It was just a matter if we could come back to overcome those runs."
Northwood came out at halftime and immediately went on a 7-2 run to increase their lead to 27-22.
With 34.2 seconds left in the third quarter, Goshert converted a three-point play to close the score to 27-25 after three periods of play.
Brennan McAdams hit a three-point shot to tie the score at 30-all early in the fourth. McAdams finished with nine points and two steals in the game.
Knafel hit two key free throws to tie the game at 32-32. Seconds later Knafel pulled down a rebound from a three-point attempt by Walker and scored to give the Warriors their first lead since the first period at 35-34.
Knafel finished with six points and led all players with four steals. Kaylee Ort added four points and two steals to the cause before fouling out of the game.
"We had a great year," said Neff. "Anytime you have 17 wins it is a great year. I am proud of our girls and the way they played. We just came up short."
Lindsey Steffen of Northwood came off the bench to contribute eight points and four rebounds. Courtney Simpson and Casey Bough each added four points.
The loss ended NorthWood's season at 18-4 while Wawasee improved to 18-3.
The Warriors are looking for their first sectional championship since 2001.
