The school team produced a stunning second half to pull off a surprise 58-55 win against a strong Markham’s College line-up which featured two ANZ Premiership players.
When it trailed 35-27 at halftime, St Hilda’s impressive campaign appeared to be coming end.
It had endured a damaging unanswered six-goal run but St Hilda’s had more to give and, urged on by coach Lana Morrison, the schoolgirls starting looking more like wily veterans.
Centre Kate Heffernan emerged from a quiet 30 minutes by snatching intercepts. Her opposite, the lightning-quick Sophie Napper, was having a terrific match as well.
It was a wonderful battle but Heffernan won the closing rounds. She threw her lanky frame around the court and provided the spark St Hilda’s needed.
It was on a march and outscored its opponent 16-9. It still trailed 44-43 with a quarter to play, but the momentum had shifted.
Shooter Georgia Heffernan was dropping in bombs from deep in the circle, goal attack Megan Borst made some lovely passes and Meg Timu had no right making some of the intercepts she made.
She was at full stretch to take a very crucial steal in the dying minutes of the match. It was remarkable display of athleticism.Incredibly, neither side missed an attempt at goal in the final period, as St Hilda’s edged ahead.
Markham’s College probably missed a trick by sticking with Jamie Hume at wing attack. While the Mystics-bound shooter had a good match in the midcourt, she would have been a bigger asset in the shooting circle, particularly in the second half.
That said, College shooters Isabella Masani (37 from 39) and Kiana Pelasio (18 from 23) had strong games.
St Hilda’s shooters were equally accurate. Georgia Heffernan drilled 39 from 46 and Borst slotted 19 of her 20 attempts.
"Oh my God, we just nailed it in that third quarter when we were down," Morrison said.
OMG sums it up. That period really was the difference.
"We showed good heart. It was really good.
"We just talked in the break that we could do this and we pulled it back — and they did."
Southern emerged victorious in the later semifinal, beating Phys Ed A 55-52.
The Magpies stormed to a big early lead which Phys Ed whittled away, but it was never able to get close enough to mount a serious challenge.
Southern wing attack Zoey Flockton had a dominant game but her side hit the cruise control too early.In the other games, Uni Albion beat Phys Ed Blue 52-40 and South Pacific Titans beat Phys Ed B 57-49.
