Hart Girls Find Playoff Mode With Fourth-Quarter Surge

The Hart High girls’ basketball team won its first playoff game Saturday.

Well, not exactly.

The Southern Section playoffs don’t begin until Wednesday.

But before defeating Village Christian, 47-41, in a nonleague game at Village Christian, Hart Coach Dave Munroe said his team would approach the game with playoff-like intensity.

Village Christian responded in kind.

“Both teams play in leagues we’ve been dominating,” Munroe said. “So we decided to get in playoff mode a little early.”

Village Christian, which has won 40 consecutive Alpha League games, stayed in that mode for three quarters. But Hart, which has won 40 of its last 41 Foothill League games, played its best when it mattered most--in the fourth quarter.

The Indians made only 12 of 39 shots through three quarters, but stepped up their rebounding and defense in the final period.

Hart (20-7) had seven offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter, leading to nine second-chance points. The Indians limited the Crusaders (16-7) to four fourth-quarter points to overcome a 37-30 deficit.

Hart held All-Southern Section guard Lindy James to one point in the final period. James finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds.

Wendy Downen led Hart with 11 points and Jaclyn Kuptz had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Amanda Hoaglund added nine points.

Hart played without leading scorer and rebounder Candace Boller, who sprained her wrist in a game against Saugus on Friday.