Amsterdam 68, Catholic Central 63
Colleen Dignum did her best to knock off the number one team in the state. The Catholic Central junior scored 23 points, 15 from three-point land, and each one was as clutch as the next. It wasn't enough though.
In the end the Running Rams of Amsterdam had too much fire power. Amsterdam (10-0, 17-0) had four players in double figures and thanks to a fast start in the first quarter and clutch fouls shots in overtime they escaped with the win.
Amsterdam's Megan Gaugler had a big three-pointer and Brittany Stahura converted an old-fashioned three-point play in overtime to likley keep the Rams in the top spot in the state.
They're getting everyones best shot now as every team they play comes in with hopes of knocking off the number one class AA team in the state. The Rams don't seem to be rattled though and hope these kinds of games will help them later down the road in sectionals. "Everyone we play gets up to play us that's the deal we have right now," Amsterdam head coach Eric Duemler said. "Our schedule this whole season has been loaded up with the idea of making a long sectional run." Despite the close games of recent they, without a doubt, look like the the top team headed into sectionals.
Catholic Central on the other hand may have had their ten game win streak snapped but their play is much improved. Especially when you consider they lost to this same Amsterdam team by 22 points back in December. The Crusaders need Dignum and junior Oilivia DeMarco to continue to play agressivley. They also need senior Alison McGrath to become more consistent and stay out of foul trouvble. Something she wasn't able to do on Monday night. McGrath had to sit the majority of the second quarter before fouling out in overtime.
It was a great game and if the atmosphere at sectionals is anything like it was Monday night in Amsterdam things should be a lot of fun. The Running Rams gym was packed and loud and the players on the floor put on quite a show.