Megan Hastings stood at the line with 14.6 seconds remaining in theMHSAA District Championship game on Friday night at Brandon High School.
The Lady Wolves held the lead going into the second half of the game against Grand Blanc. Foul trouble against the Lady Wolves had the Lady Bobcats within a few points to tie or take the game.
With less than a minute to go, senior Lindsey Reppuhn was sent to the line for two, after scoring both it gave the girls a 41-38 lead.
A basket from Grand Blanc brought them within one.
Hastings took her two free throw shots, scoring on one earning her cheers and clapping from the Clarkston bench and fans, winning the game 42-40.
“The last five minutes were very nerve wrecking,” said Hastings. “Everything you do is clutch and every play you have to make sure you don’t make stupid fouls. Those free throws at the end for me and Lindsey were big.”
“I am proud of our girls,” smiled Tim Wasilk, head coach. “The character and the toughness they have showed. The togetherness showed. It is a great group of kids and we have enjoyed success together.”
The last district win for the girls was in 2005 before they changed from fall to winter season.
“We were at Brandon High School,” said Wasilk. “It was set up the same way, we got a bye and won two games. Maybe it is something about this gym.”
The girls went on a 10-2 run at the end of the first quarter to maintain the lead, 15-6. By half time they had a 10-point lead, 21-17, with eight of the Lady Bobcats points from free throws.
Shereta Brown scored 15-17 for free throws, causing trouble for the Lady Wolves.
“She is a great player and we tried to contain her as much as we could,” said Wasilk. “We knew she was tough and their defense did a great job on us.”
Hastings matched Brown’s 17 points with the same amount, with three 3-pointers. Delaney Kenny scored nine points.
The girls defeated Fenton on Wednesday night, 38-31, grabbing the lead with three minutes left to go.
“We were a little nervous and jittery. It was our first district game and it showed,” said Wasilk about going into half time behind 21-10.
“We play tremendous the second half,” he continued.
Kenny led the girls with 12 points, five rebounds and two steal. Hastings added ten points to the board and had four assists and two steals.
The girls played Flint Northwestern on Tuesday night in the first round of Regionals and went in with a 17-5 record.
The winner moves on to Thursday night’s championship game at 7 p.m.
“We have to play hard and keep our nerves down because this is our first regional game for all of us,” said Hastings.