By STEVE RANSON
Lahontan Valley News
Katie Kotter's two free throws with nine seconds left in regulation play iced Carson High's 46-44 win over the Greenwave Tuesday night in a nonleague girls' basketball game at Fallon.
Fallon had trailed Carson by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter before the Lady 'Wave made its second big run of the evening. After Fallon called a time out two minutes into the final period, the 'Wave out scored the Senators 9-2 over the next five minutes. Michelle Beach's trey from the left corner narrowed the lead to 44-42 with 1:25 remaining.
Both teams each missed several shots before Kotter fouled Liz Lewis with 10 seconds left on the clock. Lewis, though, missed both free throws. Kotter muscled in to rebound the ball and was immediately fouled. The Carson guard calmly sank a pair of free throws to give her 14 points for the night and a four-point lead for the Senators.
Fallon had one final time down the court as Jessica Daum wiggled in for a lay up at the buzzer.
"They kept coming back," said Carson coach Alanna Williams. "That's very typical of Fallon."
Carson improved to 10-6 overall. The Senators resume Sierra League play this weekend with a game on the road at North Valleys Friday and then home Saturday against South Tahoe. Fallon drops to 11-6 overall and plays at Galena Friday and at home Saturday against Reed in two High Desert League games.
Williams, though, was happy to get a win on the road.
"It's good to get a win at Fallon. These games are always fun, especially when we win," Williams said.
From the opening tip off, both teams raced up and down the court with the quickness of the ponies at Hollywood Park.
Fallon raced out to an 8-2 lead in the first period, only to see it evaporate with eight unanswered points from Carson. Fallon tied Carson at the end of the quarter on two Lewis' free throws.
"Carson City plays an upbeat game. They play with great intensity," said
Fallon coach Chelle Dalager.
Tabitha Adams, who had 10 points along with Ciarra Christian, ignited a 5-0 Carson run to open the second quarter. Each team traded baskets until Fallon gradually chipped away at the lead and tied the game at 20 with a minute left before halftime.
Greenwave forward Michelle Beach scored six points on a pair of lay ups and a long shot from inside the arc and Ashley Sloan added a basket to give the 'Wave a 26-20 lead.
The final three minutes of the second quarter bothered Williams.
"We had some breakdowns in communications," she pointed out, "and we missed some easy baskets."
The second quarter communications breakdown translated into a clear signal as Carson jumped on Fallon on a 10-2 surge.
Kotter split the defense twice for easy shots down the lane and added a pull up jumper while Nicole Scott and Adams each added a basket. After Fallon tied the game at 30, Carson ended the quarter on a 5-1 run.
"Overall, both teams played hard," Dalager said.
Lewis, who led all scorers with 15 points, said Fallon's intensity dropped at the beginning of the third quarter.
"Many of the girls thought the game was won," Lewis explained.
However, Lewis said Carson played well and has a good team. She feels Fallon had its chances to win.
"We just need to run our offense like the coach tells us," she said.
