Posen eliminates Hillman with clutch shots in the closing minutes, wll seek third district crown Fri

Clutch baskets by Mary Calhoun and Jill Krajniak, and solid team defense in the closing minutes helped Posen erase a four point Hillman lead twice and give the Vikings a thrilling victory in the district semifinal game at Hillman, 67-65. Posen built an early 13-point advantage in the first half, 28-15, and was shooting the lights out from all over the floor, before Hillman got going and trimmed the lead to four. The Vikes got some of the lead back before halftime and were up 36-28 heading into what would be a nail biting final two quarters.

Posen maintained a two-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter until Jessica Herbert gave the Tigers its first lead of the night on a three pointer. The Vikings were uncharacteristically struggling from the free throw line, while Hillman went up by four, 58-54 with 2:52 remaining.

FOR THE Viking players, who had defeated Hillman twice during the regular season, the pressure of being behind with only minutes to spare, along with the dejected looks on some of the player?s faces, it looked like Hillman was on its way to the district final. ?Posen never gave up,? said head coach Tom Schellie. ? It was a great team effort. We just never gave up, offensively, defensively. Everybody played great tonight. I?m just so proud of the girls.

After Calhoun made one-of-two free throws, the next time down the floor Krajniak drilled a three pointer from the right wing that tied the game at 58 and got the Posen fans back into the game. The Tigers countered on two quick buckets, 62-58, and it looked like the comeback had been thwarted. Calhoun said after the game she knew her club needed a score, so she dribbled the ball to the low post and swished a jumper over two defenders. Michelle Mulka made a free throw to get the Vikes within one, 62-61.

THE DEFENSE made another stop and Calhoun made the shot of the game with 32 secon

ds remaining. It was almost from the same spot as the last jumper, but this time the ball rolled around the rim before falling through, giving Posen the lead back, 63-62, and sending the Posen faithful into a frenzy. Krajniak put the win away with another three ball from the left wing, as Schellie yelled for her not to shoot. He obviously was pleased when the shot fell through. It seemed to be icing on the cake, except that Hillman raced to the other end and made a three to get within one, with two seconds remaining. Hillman wouldn?t get another chance to score and their season came to an end while Posen?s continues.

The Vikings had three players in double digits with Calhoun followed up her 47-point night against Hillman November 3 with a game-high 25 points. Hincka scored 13, with most of her points coming in the first half when Posen built its lead. Jenny Ciarkowski played well down low and scored 10. Jessica Herbert had 16 for Hillman. Calhoun also added five rebounds and five assists. The girls will be looking for their third trip to regionals in as many years when they travel back to Hillman for the district championship game at 7 p.m. against Johannesburg-Lewiston.