FALLON - A game of streaks could best described Tuesday night's girls' Fallon Optimist All-Star basketball game between the East and West teams at the high school's Elmo Dericco Gym.
The West team, led by Kaylan King's 22 points, outscored the East 6-2 in the final minute to escape with a 56-52 win in the fifth annual event for graduating seniors.
"I'd be coach of the year if I had this team every season," said the West's Matt Murphy of North Valleys.
He said his girls played unselfishly and executed spur of the moment plays drawn during halftime.
But what impressed Murphy the most was King, a standout from Reno High School who scored half of her points in the first half. He said it was nice to have King on the same team.
"Kaylan's beaten us enough times," Murphy said of King.
The East squad, which featured six players from Reed, dominated the first quarter with its quickness. Although the East team missed its first three shots, the offense began to roll behind point guard Maria Moore of Reed.
At one time, the East had a 12-5 lead before King's first trey cut the lead.
The East maintained a slim lead in the second half behind Moore's four points, but the West grabbed its first lead with two seconds remaining in the first half on two free throws from King.
The East regained the lead and led by as many as seven points, 35-29, after Moore made a layup between two defenders with 5:31 left in the third quarter. The West chipped away at the and then went on a 7-0 run to pad its cushion to 41-35 going into the fourth quarter.
Sarah Hughes of McQueen gave the West its biggest lead of the evening, 47-35, after she sunk a pair of free throws with 6:34 showing on the clock.
The East made a run with Moore scoring nine points. With 1:28 left in the game, Moore's two free throws tied the game.
King and North Valleys' Robin Swain caused the East's offense to turn the ball over several times and caused Moore to miss a 3-pointer. Hughes and King each made a free throw in the waning seconds to ice the four-point win.
Erin Brinkmeyer of Douglas High School said the intensity of the fourth quarter led to the win.
"The pressure helped us get organized," the University of Redlands-bound player said.
Jack Smith of Wooster, coach of the East girls, said too many missed 3-pointers and free throws made the difference. During the final quarter he said his players made a good run.
"During the last three minutes the girls wanted to win," he said.
Dayton's Amanda Sbragia scored seven points, and she felt satisfied with her performance.
"It was an honor to play with the girls from the 4A," said Sbragia.
She also said her rebounding helped her gain more playing time, especially in the second half.
