The win guaranteed the Lady Knights (20-8) their second state playoff berth in as many years as a varsity program. They will face Calhoun today at 5:30 p.m. for the right to play for the region championship.
Sonoraville (21-7) twice had the chance to take a late lead with a free throw, but the Lady Phoenix squandered the opportunity both times.
Near the end of regulation, with River Ridge ahead by two, a Sonoraville player made a game-tying shot and was fouled. The player, however, could not complete the three-point play and the game went into overtime.
In the first extra period, River Ridge went into the final seconds with a one-point lead and Sonoraville drew another foul and two free throws. This time, the Lady Phoenix made the first attempt to tie the score, but they missed the second.
In the second overtime, Sonoraville had the advantage, holding a three-point lead with 7 seconds left and River Ridge inbounding the ball. The play was designed to feed the ball to Jessica Baker, but Lady Phoenix players descended on her, leading Baker to pass to Jordan Livesay. Livesay then sank a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer to force the third overtime.
The third extra session saw River Ridge lead by as much as four points before a Sonoraville 3 cut the gap to one in the late seconds. The Lady Phoenix, however, couldn’t get any closer and the Lady Knights survived for the victory.
Baker led River Ridge with 14 points, nine of which were scored during the overtime periods. Livesay added 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Parker Nayman had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Free throws were the Achilles’ heel for Sonoraville as it went 7-for-15 from the line in overtime. River Ridge was 5-for-7.
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