Othello girls lose to EV in overtime

OTHELLO — The Othello High School girls basketball team just missed on two game-winning shot in overtime in the season opener on Wednesday night against Spokane’s East Valley High School, falling 39-38.

The OHS Huskies struggled offensively in the first quarter with just one basket by Annalee Coronado, trailing 6-3 heading into the second. East Valley failed to get any offensive rhythm in the first half either, thanks in part to pestering pressure from the Huskies defense. East Valley led 12-7 at halftime.

The visitors took advantage of their size in the post in the third quarter as both sides found some rhythm offensively. Othello more than doubled its first half offensive production in the third quarter but still trailed 22-16 heading into the fourth.

A 9-2 run by the Huskies in the opening five minutes of the fourth quarter was capped off by a three-pointer from Maciah Tovar, giving Othello its first lead of the game at 25-24. Tovar sank another crucial three with just over a minute left, putting Othello in front 28-26, but East Valley tied the game before the end of regulation.

Both sides traded blows in overtime with East Valley capitalizing on free throw attempts late to hold a 39-38 advantage with less than 20 seconds to play. Othello got two chances at the game-winning shot, including a three from Tovar in the corner that just rimmed out before the buzzer.

While the Huskies may have given up some size to East Valley, they made up with for it with effort on the glass, finishing with 26 offensive rebounds. Annalee Coronado led the team in scoring and on the glass, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Hailee Guzman finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds and four assists while Maciah Tovar notched 10 points and three boards.

Huskies head coach Adolfo Coronado said he kept telling his players early in the game they were taking good shots.

“The whole first quarter they just weren’t going in, and I told them ‘don’t worry, when they start going in we’ll be just fine and right in this game,’” Coronado said.

Annalee Coronado, who was key in the comeback surge for Othello in regulation, fouled out in the fourth quarter. Adolfo Coronado said he was proud of his team for not letting this break their spirit.

“In the past, when something like that has happened the team has folded, but the team stuck together and took it like nothing and kept moving and I was really proud,” Coronado said.

Next up for Othello is a road trip to face Clarkston High School Friday at 7 p.m.