SOUTH WAYNE - Playing without leading scorer and rebounder Natalie Leuzinger due to a hip injury, top-seeded and second-ranked Black Hawk was upset by fourth-seeded Fall River 67-62 in overtime in a WIAA Division 5 regional championship game Saturday.
"Obviously, we are not making excuses, but not having Natalie put us in a tougher position to win," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said. "She's a scorer, rebounder and a very good post defender. They (Fall River) exploited that and did a really good job of utilizing their size. We really missed her (Leuzinger). Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team."
Fall River jumped out to a 29-21 lead at the half. The Warriors outscored the Pirates 31-23 in the second half to force overtime. Fall River then outscored the Warriors 15-10 in the extra session to knock off Black Hawk.
Black Hawk freshman Hannah Butler scored a game-high 28 points and freshman Maddy Huschitt added 19 points.
"I'm proud of the kids who stepped up," Flanagan said. "Maddy had a bigger role and really stepped up. Hannah Butler kept us in the game."
With the loss, Black Hawk closes the season 21-1. It marked the last game for senior Sammy Lovelace.
"I feel really bad for her because this was her last chance at this," Flanagan said. "She had a really good senior year and a great career. She worked really hard to put us in a position to win."
"Obviously, we are not making excuses, but not having Natalie put us in a tougher position to win," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said. "She's a scorer, rebounder and a very good post defender. They (Fall River) exploited that and did a really good job of utilizing their size. We really missed her (Leuzinger). Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team."
Fall River jumped out to a 29-21 lead at the half. The Warriors outscored the Pirates 31-23 in the second half to force overtime. Fall River then outscored the Warriors 15-10 in the extra session to knock off Black Hawk.
Black Hawk freshman Hannah Butler scored a game-high 28 points and freshman Maddy Huschitt added 19 points.
"I'm proud of the kids who stepped up," Flanagan said. "Maddy had a bigger role and really stepped up. Hannah Butler kept us in the game."
With the loss, Black Hawk closes the season 21-1. It marked the last game for senior Sammy Lovelace.
"I feel really bad for her because this was her last chance at this," Flanagan said. "She had a really good senior year and a great career. She worked really hard to put us in a position to win."
