In a tale of two halves, The Parkway South Patriots narrowly defeated the Visiting Parkway Central Colts 50-47 in MSHSAA Class 5 Sectionals on Wednesday night at Maryville University.
The Patriots who came into the playoff game at 25-3 and perfect in Suburban West Conference play, took a 10 point lead early in the game and seemed like they wouldn’t look back, ending the first quarter up 13-3. South took the double digit advantage into the 2nd where the lead reached as much as 14 points.
Junior forward Christie Bergesch led the colts in the first half with six points, making three out of four shots from the free throw line.
Parkway Central Head Coach, Mr. Brian Guilfoyle urged his team to pass the ball inside to their 6’3 Center, Zoe Wallis who averaged 14 points per game before the night’s playoff contest.
That is exactly what the Colts did; putting the ball in the junior’s hands for the first five shot attempts of the second half. Wallis drew two fouls and cashed in two out of three possible points from the free throw line.
The Colts began the long awaited comeback.
Wallis put back her own missed shot to cut the patriot lead to three points at the 6:28 mark in the third quarter. After a Parkway South timeout, sophomore Melanie Wasserman drained a three point shot to take the lead and begin the back and forth cage match.
As the third quarter came to a halt, the Colts led 36-32, with Wallis shooting a perfect 9-9 at the free throw line in the quarter.
The Patriots worked back to tie the game at 45 with 2:42 remaining in regulation. After a full timeout, the colts turned the ball over, giving up a three point play on South’s trip down the floor.
Parkway Central junior, Christie Bergesch drew contact with 2:14 to go in the fourth to put the Colts in the double bonus. Making one shot, Bergesch cut the South lead to two points.
As the game clock reached just under 1:30, Bergesch forced a Parkway South turnover before earning a spot at the free throw line and handing the Patriots’ Dominique Broadus her fifth foul of the game.
Again making one shot, Bergesch hustled down the hardwood to grab a defensive rebound.
The colts failed to put the ball in the net in the final minute of the game, ultimately losing 50-47.
Parkway Central finishes the season 20-8 as Class 5 District 4 champions. The colts bid farewell to five seniors, including Chelsy Gibson, Ashley Holmes, Samantha Lewis, Alyssa Waitz, and Jamie Lazaroff.
Parkway South advances to play Saint Joseph’s Academy (20-5) at 2:45 on March 9 at Lindenwood University with a spot in the state semi finals on the line.
