With her team trailing by 2 points and facing elimination with just 9 seconds remaining in the diocesan quarterfinal playoff game, Nicole Weinman calmly sank two free throws to tie the score at 35 and send the game into overtime. The Snows’ sixth-gra
Snows jumped out to a 10-2 first-quarter lead behind the scoring of Weinman, Adara Simonelli and Tina Khiani; however, St. Margaret’s roared back with 16 points in the second quarter to temporarily stun the OLS girls and grab an 18-14 halftime lead.
Christine Wrynn, Jessica Wrynn and Michelle Gasperetti aided the OLS scoring attack in the third quarter as Snows fought hard to retake a 24-22 lead heading to the fourth quarter. As the clock wound down, Christine Wrynn’s three-pointer from the top of the key momentarily held off the girls from Middle Village.
With 1:00 left in regulation time, St. Margaret’s retook the lead, 34-33. A free throw increased St. Margaret’s lead to 35-33 to set the stage for Weinman’s heroics. Lost in the box score was the key foul by Nicole Kaouris that prevented St. Margaret’s from dribbling out the clock and sent them to the foul line, where OLS was able to get the ball back.
Snows Bantam girls edge St. Margaret’s, 29-27
Weinman connected for two big baskets in the final minute to lift the Our Lady of the Snows Bantam girls’ basketball team to a 29-27 victory over St. Margaret’s of Middle Village. St. Margaret’s had fought back to take a 26-25 lead with 1:09 left in the game.
The opening round action in the CYO diocesan playoffs took place at Our Lady of Lourdes gym in Queens Village last Saturday evening. St. Margaret’s surprised OLS and jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, as the Snows girls could not get any shots to fall.
Following a timeout, OLS regrouped and Khiani led the way back as Snows grabbed an 8-6 first-quarter lead. Khiani soon followed Christine Wrynn to the bench with both in serious foul trouble. The game stayed close throughout with OLS maintaining a slight lead until St. Margaret’s rallied to grab the lead with 1:09 remaining.
Even after Snows retook the lead, St. Margaret’s fought hard until the final horn and several times threatened to send the game into overtime. Finally, Adara Simonelli grabbed a rebound and the horn sounded to end the game.
Weinman led OLS with 11 points. Tina Khiani and Nicole Kaouris scored 8 points each, while Adara Simonelli converted a layup for the balance of the OLS scoring. Michelle Gasperetti, Kaitlin Frangella and Christine Wrynn also contributed to the OLS team effort.
