Bishop McDevitt edges Greencastle-Antrim in 2OT of Mid-Penn semifinals

By Ben Destefan

NEWVILLE -- Considering the outcomes of Mid-Penn Conference tournament games have no bearing on the big picture, some take the showcase lightly.

Don't tell that to Greencastle-Antrim or Bishop McDevitt.

Tuesday's girls' basketball semifinal at Big Spring High School had the feel of a marquee playoff game, needing not one, but two overtimes to determine a winner.

Ultimately, a resilient McDevitt squad inched ahead during the final minute of the second extra period to secure a 51-47 victory, advancing to Thursday's conference title tilt against Camp Hill.

Despite the initial disappointment, there were several positive takeaways for G-A as the Blue Devils prepare to open District 3 play next week. None more so than Jenay Faulkner's sensational night, which included 34 points and 18 rebounds to put Greencastle on the cusp of victory.

"Jenay thrives in these situations, in these atmospheres," G-A head coach Mike Rhine said. "All these people here, it's what makes her special."

Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, Faulkner's tremendous effort wasn't enough against a Crusaders squad that made some huge plays at pivotal moments, headlined by Olivia Fasick.

Trailing 31-28 in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, Fasick drained a tying 3 to force the first overtime before she converted several clutch free throws to send the game to a second extra frame. Again down with less than a minute remaining, Fasick made consecutive buckets to put McDevitt ahead 50-47 prior to sealing it from the line with 15 ticks left.

"That was a good basketball game against a good team," Rhine said. "I have no regrets other than a turnover here and there or a foul shot here and there. It hurts really bad right now, but we have nothing to be ashamed of. We proved we can play with them. They definitely knew we were here."

A defensive tempo dictated much of the contest, with McDevitt leading 19-12 at halftime. G-A began to seize the momentum in the third, aided by the Crusaders scoring just three points during the eight-minute frame.

Leading 24-22 to start the fourth, the Blue Devils pushed their margin to 31-23 before McDevitt's late surge culminated in Fasick's crucial 3-ball.

A free-throw shooting contest produced a 39-all stalemate at the end of the first overtime prior to four consecutive points by Faulkner giving G-A a 47-43 lead late in the second OT. Then, as they had all night, the Crusaders answered, this time with a game-deciding 8-0 run.

Fasick paced McDevitt (19-4) with a team-high 19 points followed by eight from both Noelle Cameron and Treasure George-Morrow. Morgan Wagaman contributed eight points for G-A (18-5).

The Blue Devils return to action on Tuesday when they host West York in the first round of the District 3-5A playoffs at 7 p.m.