ALBANY — As one of two ranked teams in Division 5 with an undefeated record, Albany-Monticello nearly saw its perfect season come to an end in a nonconference game against Brodhead on Dec. 23. But the Space Stallions overcame a 10-point deficit, forced overtime with free throws and kept the Cardinals scoreless in extra time to secure a 48-40 victory.

“At the end of the day, our motto is ‘Whatever it Takes,’” Albany-Monticello head coach Derik Doescher said. “Those experiences at the (state) tournament, big crowds and big opportunities — the girls just continue to find ways. Even with certainly the worst offensive night, we find a way.”

The Cardinals, who have struggled to find consistency this season, jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Albany-Monticello doubled Rock Valley-Rock Offensive Player of the Year Allie Dahl when she got to the lane, creating opportunities for her teammates. Dahl drove baseline and kicked out to Makenna Schooff for three, and the two connected on a pick-and-roll play a possession later.

“Offensively, we just work off each other,” Dahl said. “We have to have confidence in each other because we know it’s not just about two people on the team — it’s about everyone.”

It wasn’t until nearly five minutes into the contest that the second-ranked Space Stallions scored on a three-pointer from Karlee Wilkins. That’s when Doescher called his first timeout and urged his players to get to the rim instead of settling for deep shots.

It was AM senior Anna Ellinger that lifted the Space Stallions out of the deficit. She battled in the post, drawing fouls on Annelise Bethke and Chesney Walker while grabbing offensive rebounds. Although she went 0-for-4 from the free-throw line, her effort allowed AM back into the game. Heidi Olson eventually knotted the game at 7-7 midway through the half.

“What I’m most proud of with Anna is how many rebounds and possessions she saved for us tonight — just beating her girl to the basketball and out-jumping, out-physicaling them. Those are huge possessions, and even if we didn’t execute and score off of them, it just sets a tone and mentality.”

As Dahl was scoreless up to that point — being heavily guarded by Molly Olson — Brodhead head coach Brian Kammerer switched up his offensive scheme, positioning Dahl in the post. He was hoping to create a mismatch with Dahl at 5’7” and Olson at 5’4”.  

“Molly Olson’s one of the best defenders in the state on the ball,” coach Kammerer said. “She has a motor that never ends. We screened to give Allie a little space.”

The tactic paid off, as Dahl drew a foul on Molly Olson and completed the old-fashioned three-point play with a free throw, giving her team the lead again. That advantage nearly reached double digits, as the Cardinals went on a 6-0 run. Brodhead entered the locker room leading Albany-Monticello 21-14.

Dalana Trumpy, who averages 14.0 ppg, was held scoreless in the first half. She quickly found the hoop in the second frame, making two free throws. 

Initially, her points did little to stop Brodhead from reaching a double-digit lead. The Space Stallions attempted to trap Dahl in the corner just across half court, but she found an open teammate at the top of the key, who passed to Schooff for a corner three and 26-16 advantage.   

Trumpy went to work again, this time accounting for the next seven points. She stole the ball and passed upcourt to Molly Olson for two. Trumpy also scored on an out-of-bounds play and made three free-throws. 

But it was Wilkins’ free throws four minutes later that tied the game and eventually gave AM the 32-31 advantage. The two teams tied the game another two times and exchanged the lead thrice. 

Dahl’s and-one gave her team a 40-39 lead with just over two minutes left, but the Space Stallions had fouls to give. AM committed three infractions in short order to put Schooff to the line for bonus. She missed the shot, giving AM a chance.

Ellinger drew Bethke’s fifth foul and made one free throw to tie the game at 40-40 with 29.6 seconds left. AM held for the final possession, putting the ball in the hands of sharp-shooter Abby Hollis, but her three-point attempt was off the mark, sending the game into overtime. Hollis, the team’s leading scorer going back to the beginning of last season, was held to just two points in the game thanks to the man-to-man hustle defense of Schooff.

In the four minutes of overtime, AM kept Brodhead off of the board while scoring eight points — all but two coming from the charity stripe. 

Despite the loss, coach Kammerer took the game as a ‘moral win.’ Sure his team would have liked to upset Albany-Monticello, but Brodhead hung with the defending Division 5 state champions.

“It was a total team effort on both the offensive and defensive end,” coach Kammerer said. “I can’t say enough. We had opportunities in regulation to pull what would have been a huge upset against a well-coached team with Derik Doescher. I hate moral victories, but sometimes you have to have a moral victory. This is probably a moral victory tonight.”