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Instant Classic: Newark comes up just short of first state title in double overtime thriller

By Cameron Carter, 03/14/21, 4:15PM EDT

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Mount Notre Dame survives for second straight title, 72nd straight win

DAYTON, Ohio -- After seeing how the boys Division I regional final between Westerville Central and Gahanna finished, it did not feel possible to have a game top that one, let alone seven hours later. Newark and Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame proved us wrong however, as the two teams went to war in a double overtime thriller. This was just the second double overtime state final in OHSAA history.

In the most entertaining girls game of the season, Mount Notre Dame defeated Newark 57-55 to capture their second straight and 8th total state championship. The Cougars finish this historic season a perfect 28-0 as their winning streak now sits at an astounding 72 games.

Newark ends their amazing season at a record of 27-2 while earning their first state runner-up finish in school history. The Wildcats fought relentlessly to the very finish as they had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but came up empty on a heavily contested look.

The Cats were led by the trio of Gwen Stare, Maddie Vejsicky, and Emma Shumate. Stare and Shumate were on the floor for all 40 minutes Saturday night and Vejsicky played all but one minute. These three along with the rest of the Cats left everything on the floor and made their community and all of central Ohio proud with their outstanding effort.

Stare led the team with a near double-double of 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Vejsicky poured in 18 points and six rebounds. Shumate did notch a double-double in an absolute defensive clinic as she finished with 12 points, 13 blocks, and four rebounds.

Newark took a 14-9 lead into the second quarter thanks to Vejsicky’s hot start and Shumate’s disruptive defense. Vejsicky scored eight straight for the Cats to start the game and Shumate really bothered Mount Notre Dame’s stars KK Bransford and Laila Phelia with her excellent defense.

To combat their sluggish start, Mount Notre Dame opened up the second quarter playing zone. The Cougars gave Newark fits for the first few minutes of the quarter, but Newark still held onto a 19-14 lead late in the first half. In the final two minutes however, Mount Notre Dame went on a 7-1 run to take a 21-20 lead into halftime. 

 

The Cougars jumped out to a six point lead, the biggest of the game, early in the third quarter when Bransford scored the first five points of the second half. Like she did all night, Shumate responded with big time defensive stops. After recording her 10th block with three minutes left in the third, she drained a three that gave Newark a 28-26 lead. The two teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 28.

In the fourth quarter we saw a spark of scoring from both teams as they went back and forth trading baskets for the first several minutes. Once we really got into crunch time, Newark had possession down 42-38 with 1:30 left in the game and was in desperate need of a score. After a long possession of looking for a good shot, Stare knocked down a cold blooded three to cut the Cougars lead to one with :52.4 remaining.

After one free throw from Mount Notre Dame, Newark had the ball down 43-41 with :17.7 to go. On the inbound, Vejsicky scored as clutch of a bucket as you can, driving the lane in the final seconds and tying the game. In the remaining seconds, Newark came up with a miracle steal and would have had a chance to win the game, but didn’t get a shot off before the buzzer sounded.

In the first period of free basketball, the teams once again went back and forth in exciting fashion. Mount Notre Dame had the ball in Bransford’s hands all tied up at 47 on their last possession of overtime. Driving to the lane, Bransford scored with about seven seconds remaining, putting the Cougars up by two. Newark, out of timeouts, immediately inbounded the ball to Stare who found Stottsberry streaking down to court for a layup at the buzzer.

It was absolute madness inside of UD Arena in the Division I state final as Newark and Mount Notre Dame were headed to double overtime.

More back and forth action ensued in the second overtime period as Bransford single handedly took on the entire Newark squad in the final four minutes. Bransford scored all eight of the Cougars’ points to finish the game.

With less than 10 seconds remaining, Mount Notre Dame was ahead 57-55 and shooting the front end of a one and one. After missing the first, Newark had the ball looking to tie or win the game.

Once again without a timeout, Newark’s players were put into a situation where they had to make a play. Stare brought the ball up on the right side of the floor and found Vejsicky on the right wing who fired up a three in the final seconds. The contested shot missed left as the buzzer sounded, and Newark fell just short of a state championship.

As expected, the emotions were clearly visible on the Newark sideline after the game. There is absolutely nothing for the Cats to hang their heads on however. There is no question they’ve made their entire community proud for their amazing effort night in and night out.

Congratulations to the Newark seniors on their illustrious careers as Wildcats. They have been a joy to cover for our entire staff. We wish nothing but the best for them going forward on their future endeavors.

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