Hart Records Overtime Win Against Buena to Reach Final

The Buena High girls’ basketball team was hoping it had seen the last of Hart’s Sara Wilson, who sat out the entire third quarter in foul trouble.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the junior forward returned midway in the fourth quarter, a timely reappearance for the Indians, who beat the Bulldogs, 78-68 in overtime, in a Southern Section 5-A Division semifinal at Ventura College on Saturday.

Hart will play Santa Barbara, a 44-41 winner over Ontario, in the championship game Friday night at Cal Poly Pomona.

Nikki Brodowy and Wilson each made baskets in the last minute of regulation to tie the score, 66-66. Buena had possession with 21 seconds left but was unable to score.

Wilson made the first basket in overtime, then missed two free throws before fouling out.

“She is one of the keys to this team,” Hart Coach Pam Walker said. “Her leadership on the floor down the stretch really calmed us down.”

Despite her prolonged absence, Wilson, who finished with 13 points, said that she never doubted her teammates would fill in for her.

“I knew they would be able to come through with me out, so I wasn’t worried,” Wilson said.

Buena (22-4), ranked third in the Southern Section, gave Walker some uneasy moments, however.

Trailing, 54-49, after three quarters, the Bulldogs rallied to tie with 5:58 left, then took a four-point lead on Marci Ewin’s basket with 2:33 to play.

But the No. 2-seeded Indians (24-2), who have won 14 consecutive games, outscored Buena, 6-2, in the last two minutes and forced the overtime on Wilson’s dramatic basket with 25 seconds left.

Joannie Weinerth’s basket with 1:13 left in overtime accounted for Buena’s only scoring in the three-minute period.

“We did this as a team and everyone contributed,” Walker said. “I am just really proud of the way they played.

“Buena has been here so many times and this is virgin territory for us.”

Buena led, 16-12, after the first quarter. The Indians caught up, 27-27, with 2:27 left in the first half on Wilson’s three-point play.

Anjanette Dionne scored a game-high 20 points to lead Hart, which made 13 of 20 free throws. Kim Posey added 17 points and Brodowy had 10. Weinerth led Buena with 16 points and Jennifer Goodwin added 12.