By Patrick Z. McGavin
Crane freshman Sariah Allen was on a magnificent run she never wanted to end.
“Honestly, I like to start off slowly and then pick my spots and figure out when to attack,” she said.
In the fourth quarter she scored the Cougars’ first eight points against Regina off a series of steals, drives and a corner jump shot.
“My style is just to play the game, and help out my teammates,” she said.
Allen’s fourth quarter heroics came up just short in the Cougars’ 40-37 loss in the championship game of the Class 2A Christ the King Sectional on Thursday night.
The Panthers (24-9) will play Phillips in a supersectional Monday at Morton College.
Phillips (19-13) edged IC Catholic Prep 62-59 at Julian Thursday night.
In the 18-team sectional field, split into two subsectionals, Crane was the top seed of the top bracket, and Regina the No. 1 seed of the lower bracket.
Allen scored all 12 of her points in the second half for the Cougars (22-6). Her speed off the dribble, ball handling and shot creation drove the attack.
Her baseline jumper with 3:27 created the final tie at 33-apiece. Regina responded with a 7-0 run to take control.
Crane exceeded all expectations. Four of the team’s five starters are freshmen, led by Allen, who averaged 15.2 points per game.
Crane plays a motion, five-out offense that uses its speed and quickness to get to the basket. Guard Angel Reed is the only senior starter. She finished with seven points.
Reed and freshman Za’Nylah Moaton each averaged 11.2 points per game.
A lefty with a sweet shooting stroke, Moaton scored nine points for the Cougars. The fifth starter, freshman Shauntee Turner, contributed two points.
“We’re all freshmen and sophomores, and this experience is just going to make us better,” Allen said.
The season marked a breakthrough for fifth-year coach Terranika Reynolds, the former Marshall star. Reynolds was the second-leading scorer on the Commandos’ Class 3A state championship team in 2008.
Her team mirrored the style of her mentor, the legendary Dorothy Gaters. The team offset its lack of size with speed, quickness and chemistry.
“What we lack in size, we pick up with speed,” Terranika Reynolds said. “We pick it up with energy, movement and hustle.
“I knew today was going to be a learning experience because a lot of the teams we play, we beat them very badly, by 20, 30 or 40 points. So coming into a game like this, where we were down a lot, and by three late, we have to learn how to win those games.”
Regina led 14-13 after a racehorse opening quarter that featured multiple ties and lead changes. The second quarter was more tactical, and the only basket managed by the Cougars was a 3-pointer by freshman Taniya Reynolds, the daughter of the coach.
“I’m a shooter, and teams have to be able to guard me, because I can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket,” Taniya Reynolds said. “I’m used to playing against older girls with my club team, where I play up.
“We’re all looking forward to the future with this team.”
Every time Regina appeared on the verge of pulling away, the Cougars reached down and found their own special brand of grit, toughness, skill and resilience.
After patiently waiting her time and surveying the court, Allen exploded in the second half. She opened the third quarter with a beautiful drive, and kept the Cougars close with a short jumper that pulled the team within 31-25 to start the fourth quarter.
Allen’s sparkling play gave the Cougars a chance. In the end, the lack of experience was the difference.
“We have a really young ballclub with a bunch of freshmen and sophomores who are still figuring out basketball,” Terranika Reynolds said.
“I think with a little bit more depth, and a little bit more experience, we are going to be alright.”
The foundation is in place. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the season is very bright.
“It was a very good experience because at the end of the day, we still have three more years,” Taniya Reynolds said. “For us to make a name for ourselves as freshmen is really good.
“It’s just going to get better.”
