Olivia Degraca takes charge for SV in overtime

St. Vincent High School senior Olivia Degraca, harassed for the entire game by Rincon Valley Christian’s tall towers Kylie Olson and Caroline Chambers, came through when it counted most, leading the Mustangs to a 39-35 North Central League II overtime victory on their home court Friday night.

With Rincon Valley Christian’s Eagles leading 32-31, and time running out in the fourth quarter, Degraca missed the front end of a two-shot free-throw opportunity. With fans holding their collective breath, she came back from a time out to drop home her second try for the point that forced overtime.

The senior took control of the extra period, starting with a 3-pointer and following with an inside bucket and a pair of free throws that provided the difference.

“Olivia is amazing,” said St. Vincent coach Art Walker. “She was struggling, but she came through when we needed her. That’s what leadership is all about.”

The win was important to the Mustangs who kept alive their title hopes, improving to 5-2 in league play and 9-8 overall. Rincon Valley Christian is now 4-3 in league and 14-6 overall.

The contest was a well-played match between St. Vincent’s total team effort and the spirited play of Rincon Valley Christian’s tall duo of Olson and chambers. Not only did the Eagle combo provide the majority of their team’s scoring with Olson counting 23 points and Chambers 10, but they also jammed up the paint on defense, forcing the Mustangs to alter many of their shots, and, as their team’s best ball handlers, brought the ball up court against the pressing St. Vincent defense.

St. Vincent countered with scoring contributions from seven different players, led by Degraca with 14 (seven in the overtime), and fellow senior Taylor Owen with nine. Other point makers included ball handling Katie Gross (3), McKenna Wilson-Kay (4), Clare Galten (2), Julia Murphy (5) and Lauren Vollert (2).

The Mustangs opened like they might gallop away with the victory. Owen swished a trey to start the game, and St. Vincent scored the first seven points of the game, before Rincon Valley Christian got untracked and countered with a seven-point run of its own. A 3-pointer by Murphy pushed St. Vincent in front, 10-7, at the end of the first quarter.

Gross contributed a long-range hit as the half was ending to up the St. Vincent advantage to 18-13.

St. Vincent, with Wilson-Kay, Vollert, Owen and Degraca all contributing points, upped its lead to 27-22 by the end of the third period, and looked to be on the verge of taking control.

It never happened.

Neither team could find basket range as they flowed up and down the court with little to show for their efforts. Olson took command of the ball for the Eagles, and on the basis of her two clutch free-throw connections clawed in from, 32-31.

For a breath-stopping minute it looked like the lead would hold. But then Degraca was fouled on a shot attempt. Her first free throw eluded the basket, but after a time out, she stepped back into the spotlight and, seeming to be in a vacuum, dropped home her second attempt.

Neither team could score in the final 40 seconds; a shot by Degraca at the buzzer hit off the back rim.

Easy Win

Things weren’t nearly so difficult for the Mustangs earlier in the week as they bounced by Tomales, 61-19.

St. Vincent held Tomales scoreless in the first quarter, building an 18-0 lead, and was never threatened.

Degraca led St. Vincent with 19 points, with Owen and Gross adding 12 each.