In a continuous back and forth game, the Lady Indians made things happen in the fourth quarter to come away with a victory over Catasauqua.

Going into the fourth quarter, Lehighton led Catasauqua 34-32. When Sarina Sankari of Catasauqua tied up the game early in the quarter, it set the scene for an intense final minutes.

The Lady Indians had more offensive attempts than Catasauqua in this quarter although they only outscored the Rough Riders 15-14. A defining moment for the Lady Indians win occurred with 4:04 remaining. Emma Repsher was able to score a basket and get fouled in order to kick off a comeback for her team. She brought the score within just one point of Catasauqua, 42-41.

Almost two scoreless minutes later, Repsher put up a three-pointer to tie the game 44-44 at 2:19. Ryleigh Trotman added another three-pointer just over a minute later at 1:14, and this gave the Indians a 47-44 lead over the Rough Riders. The final two points for the Indians were scored on the foul line.

This was only Repsher’s second game of her senior season as she was out for a knee injury. “It’s more than just her shooting and ability, she just provides so much leadership on the court,” added Coach Gauronsky.

While the ending of the game was thrilling, the first half was just getting comfortable on the court. The Indians held the lead the entire first quarter. Ryleigh Trotman of Lehighton led in scoring this quarter with her six points. The first quarter finished with the Indians leading 9-8.

At 7:11 in the second quarter, Brooke Barna of Catasauqua sank a three to tie up the game 11-11. From this point on, the back and forth pattern persisted until the final minutes of the game. The Indians were able to get back ahead, but Catty began to put the pressure on. Catasauqua’s Hailey Jenkins put up two back to back baskets to crawl toward the Indians; after these points Catasauqua was down by just one at 16-15.

The Rough Riders gained their first lead of the game at 3:02 in the second quarter. Kaylin Stewarts added a basket and a foul shot to raise the score to 18-16. With both teams adding 14 points to the scoreboard in the second quarter, Lehighton led Catasauqua 23-22 going into the half.

At 6:36 remaining in the third quarter, Jenkins of Catasauqua tied up the game 26-26 with her basket. Neither team could hold a lead very long in the third. With just 33 seconds left in the quarter, Catasauqua’s Stewart tied up the game 32-32 with a foul shot. In those 33 remaining seconds, the Indians were able to put up a basket to go into the fourth quarter with a 34-32 lead.

The fourth quarter tested both the Lady Indians and Rough Riders. It was physical and strategic. Ultimately, Lehighton’s eagerness to score and ability to keep the ball away from Catty allowed them to finish the game with a win.

LEADING SCORERS… Hailey Jenkins of Catasauqua was the leading scorer of the game with her 17 points. In the second quarter, she scored her highest amount of points with three baskets. Ryleigh Trotman was the leading scorer for the Lady Indians with her 15 points. Behind Jenkins and Trotman were Repsher and Reph of Lehighton. Repher put up 14 points while Reph had 11.

FOUL TROUBLE… With an aggressive and close game often comes fouling. Catasauqua’s Brooke Barna fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter. Three out of the five lehighton starters, Klotz, Uyvari, and Trotman, each earned three fouls.

LEHIGHTON

Arzuaga 0-0-0-0, Reph 10-0-2-11, Klotz 2-0-0-2, Uyvari 0-0-2-2, Trotman 8-1-4-15, Repsher 4-1-13-14, Sittler 0-0-0-0, Costenbader 0-1-2-5

CATASAUQUA

Roberts 2-1-0-5, Sankari 6-0-2-7, Jenkins 14-0-4-17, Sierra 0-0-0-0, Mulin 2-0-0-2, Mankos 2-0-0-2, Wetzel 0-0-0-0, Barna 0-1-0-3

Lehighton 9 14 11 15- 49

Catasauqua 8 14 10 14- 46

Three-Pointers: Lehighton- Repher 1, Trotman 1, Costenbader 1

Bangor- Roberts 1

Record: Lehighton (6-8; 5-7); Catasauqua (4-7; 4-6)