By Dominic Scianna
Conventional wisdom says that basketball is a game of runs and/or a game of two halves, and the latter was true for the Orr girls basketball team and head coach Georgia Robinson.
Orr would fall to Willows Academy in the IHSA Class 1A girls state sectional championship 48-45 on February 27 in Des Plaines.
The Spartans would make a run in the second half, but ultimately their cold shooting in the second quarter that would prove to be the difference.
The score was tied 8-8 after the first quarter, but Orr managed just three points from senior Neshaun Russell in the second quarter to go into haftime down 23-11.
“We just couldn’t figure it out on offense in that second quarter. The shots just weren’t falling for us,” said Robinson. “But the intensity and the heart of this team is what brought us back.”
And back the Lady Spartans (22-6) came in a big way, closing a 12-point deficit to three at 45-42 with 37 seconds left in the game behind the stellar play of senior shooting guard Nia Crawford.
“Every game since the playoffs started Nia has been amazing. Her defense, and her all-around play has carried us. That’s what makes her a great player and our leader.”
Orr had previously won the regional championship the past week over Ida Crown and beat Chicago Public League rival Marshall by a score of 45-33 to advance to the sectional final.
Crawford led all scorers with 22 points, and after an emotional talk from Robinson after the loss, players left the locker room with tears streaming down their faces. It was a heartbreaking season-ending defeat but their leader came out to put the season into perspective.
“No one expected us to be here (in the sectional championship game) and even though we lost, we still made our mark, and proved we are a good team. I’m very proud of us and it shows Orr can make it. We just came up a bit short today,” said Crawford, who played her last high school game in a Lady Spartans uniform.
The Eagles of Willows Academy (26-8) advanced to the supersectional behind the stellar play of seniors Caroline Schuler (17 points) and Grace Lizak (15 points), who both made big shots and key free throws in the closing second to secure the victory.
Orr junior Carmani Sharkey also chipped in with 12 points to help keep the game close.
“Orr is a very talented team and what they’re best at is driving to the basket,” said Eagles head coach Jodi Marver. “We worked on that in practice, containing the paint, and the girls executed that game plan. We knew they were also a very physical team and we simulated that in our preparation too.”
Photos by Jim Vincent/OSA
