Reith Gives Alemany Lift in 4th Quarter : Division II girls: Reserve forward keeps Indians unbeaten by scoring seven points late in 63-53 victory over Escondido.

Inspiration can be found in the unlikeliest places, but who would have thought to look to Kathy Reith?

Reith, a seldom-used Alemany High forward filling in for foul-plagued starter Zevette Mitchell, scored all seven of her points in the fourth quarter to spark the Indians’ 63-53 comeback victory over Escondido on Tuesday in the first round of the girls’ Southern Regional Division II State playoffs.

“That kid brings tears to my eyes,” Alemany Coach Melissa Hearlihy said. “I told her she won the game for us.”

Alemany (29-0) will face Mission Bay, a 59-39 winner over Hemet, Thursday in a regional semifinal.

Reith’s performance in the second half was not one she will soon forget.

Thanks to a listless first half, the Indians were staring a shocking upset directly in the face. They trailed the Cougars (26-5) by 10 points midway through the third quarter.

Enter Reith, an unassuming junior who is neither tall (5-foot-8) nor a particularly good shooter (she banked in a free throw), nor a deft ballhandler.

“I guess I’ve been known for my defense,” she said.

She is not known for her playing time. Hearlihy estimated that Reith averaged one point a game.

But Reith played a game that is the dream of substitutes everywhere. She dived for loose balls, made a key steal and threw in a couple of improbable shots, generally providing the team with a missing element: inspiration.

“I think she kept us all going,” center Carly Funicello said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s starting.”

That might be overstating the case, given that Reith entered the game mainly because Mitchell picked up her fourth foul early in the fourth quarter. But Reith played so hard and so well Mitchell remained on the bench.

Reith scored four consecutive points early in the fourth quarter to give Alemany a 46-43 lead, and her layup with three minutes to play boosted the advantage to 55-47.

After the game, Reith answered questions from two reporters.

“This is the best,” she said. “I feel honored that I’m a key in the game when we have so many good players.”

Then she laughed.

“This is unusual. I’ve never been interviewed before.”

Reith’s teammates Samantha Rigley and Kelly McKay also scored seven points apiece in the final quarter to each finish with a game-high 19 points. Rigley added 14 rebounds and three assists.

But the fact that the Indians needed Reith’s hustle and heart was a measure of their poor effort.

“We’re flat,” Hearlihy said. “Hopefully, it was a wake-up call.”