Flipping the script: Lyle-Pacelli gives Houston all it can handle in OT loss
Published 10:04 pm Thursday, January 30, 2025
Lyle-Pacelli’s Morgan Klankowski defends Houston’s Rylee Boldt in Pacelli Gym Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Lyle-Pacelli’s Kirsten Koopal puts up a shot against Houston. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Lyle-Pacelli senior Lexi Lewis locks down on defense against Houston’s Aubrey Boldt in Pacelli Gym Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Lyle-Pacelli’s Liz Fredrick shoots over Houston’s Jorja Meyer in Pacelli Gym. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Madeline Klankowski comes up with a steal. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Autumn Drennan puts upa shot for Lyle-Pacelli. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
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Time is starting to run out for the Lyle-Pacelli seniors and they turned that desperation into inspiration as they battled until the final whistle in a 51-47 overtime loss to Houston in Pacelli Thursday.
L-P (7-14 overall) had two late possessions with a chance to tie the game, but one resulted in a turnover and another ended in a missed three-pointer. Despite coming up short, L-P head coach Lee Bauer was ecstatic with his squad’s performance as L-P had lost to Houston 66-37 on Jan. 7.
“I think this is the most fun basketball game that we have ever been a part of,” Bauer said. “The determination and the effort from the start to the end was amazing to watch. With the situation we’re in as a team, it would have been so easy for any girl to give up and stop fighting.”
The Hurricanes (14-5 overall) had led 42-33 with 4:30 left in the game when LP turned up the intensity and closed out regulation on a 10-1 run to force OT. Senior Kirsten Koopal hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 43 with 20.4 seconds left and she also converted a steal for a score to bring L-P within 48-47 with 39.9 seconds left in the extra session.
“I think we’re really feeling it coming to an end here,” Koopal said. “I think we kind of recognize, it’s now or never. We have to play every minute like it could be our last.”
Koopal finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds and her senior teammate Lexi Lewis added nine points, four assists and four steals, including a stretch where she scored four points in 15 seconds to get LP back in the game late in regulation.
Koopal played 14 minutes with four fouls before she finally fouled out in the final minute of the game.
“You’re never trying to foul, unless you’re in certain situations. I knew I had to play the best I could until I fouled out,” Koopal said. “As far as making big plays, it just happens. You have to believe in yourself and believe in your teammates.”
L-P senior Morgan Klankowski fouled out with 9:19 left in regulation and she gave the Athletics six rebounds and three blocked shots.
L-P’s younger players also gained some key experience as eighth grader Marlie Klankowski scored five points, freshman Autumn Drennan had two points and five rebounds, and seventh grader Akeera Oman was able to attempt some threes late in the contest.
“Akeera’s a great shooter and we know if we get her in that situation again, she’ll come through,” Bauer said. “Marlie came in as an eighth grader and gave us some good minutes as well.”
L-P scoring: Kirsten Koopal, 23; Morgan Klankowski, 9; Lexi Lewis, 9; Marlie Klankowski, 5; Autumn Drennan, 2
