BY MARTY MYERS
Times-Shamrock Writer
JAKE DANNA STEVENS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER MacKenzie Hartman of Forest City shoots over Elk Lake’s Rose Warner during Monday’s Lackawanna League Division IV matchup. Hartman had 19 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in the Lady Foresters’ 45-41 win.
With Elk Lake pulling away, MacKenzie Hartman knew it was time to reach deep for a little extra.
Forest City’s sophomore guard played beyond her years in the final eight minutes, dishing out three assists, grabbing eight defensive rebounds and nailing six straight free throws in the final 2½ minutes as the Lady Foresters rallied for a 45-41 win in an important early-season battle between the co-favorites in the Lackawanna League Division IV.
“I’m really into the game,” said Hartman, who scored 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half. “I know when I need to make plays, I know when I need to take shots, and I needed to get those rebounds so they couldn’t score on us.”
In a game of spurts, Hartman made sure her team had the last one.
Elk Lake led, 19-14, at halftime, before Hartman scored seven in the first three minutes of the third to take a 23-19 lead.
The Lady Warriors rallied behind Keri Jones, who led her team with 15 and scored on some difficult moves to the basket, then nailed a 17-footer and two free throws as Elk Lake took a 34-28 lead with 6:14 left in the game.
That’s when Hartman really shined, dishing to Anna Congdon for a trio of treys, then finishing her own baseline drive to tie the game at 36.
“I knew they were going to double-team me and make sure I couldn’t penetrate, so I knew (Congdon) would be open for those 3s.
“I always look for my captain. I knew she was going to be hot tonight.”
Congdon swished the only 3s she attempted, and the only 3s she’s made this season, scoring 11 points and giving her team a badly needed lift.
“I knew we need to do something to get a comeback going and spark the girls,” Congdon said. “So, I just did what I knew how to do, hit three 3s in a row and we got right back on defense and pressed them and they ended up turning the ball over.
“We’ve had worse deficits than that in the past and come back from them, so we know never to give up, to keep going right until the end.”
Even though Elk Lake still had a lead after the last of Congdon’s 3s, momentum had shifted in dramatic fashion.
“Hartman does create a lot of stuff and we didn’t get through those screens, and they didn’t talk and that led to three 3-pointers in a row, and that killed us,” Elk Lake coach Alicia Traver said. “That’s what we struggle with a lot is not talking, and that killed us right there. They’re a good team and they didn’t let up. They’re very aggressive.”
Another sophomore gave Forest City the lead for keeps. Skylar Fortuner, who went 5 for 6 from the floor, scored 11 and had five steals, drove across the lane and got a soft roll off the iron for a 38-36 lead.
“There’s a kid who is really coming on,” first-year Forest City coach John Duffy said. “She stepped up.
“My goal coming in here was to teach these kids how to become basketball players. The last six minutes of the game, if you notice, I didn’t call many sets. I said, ‘You guys know how to play. Do what you do best. Spread the floor, screen for each other.’ It’s a credit to those kids because they are learning how to become basketball players.”
One of them already knows. Hartman calmly hit four free throws in the last 22 seconds to ice the win.
“They just won a war,” Duffy said. “That’s a big win for our program. Hopefully, we can keep it rolling.”
Susquehanna 34
Lackawanna Trail 32
At Lackawanna Trail, Lauren Soden scored eight points to lead Susquehanna to a 34-32 victory over Trail.
Lexie Kwiatkowski and Ami Sohns each had eight points for Lackawanna Trail.
Montrose 37
Mountain View 29
At Mountain View, Harper Andre scored 15 points to lead Montrose.
Erika Freely and Lucy Adams had seven points for Mountain View.
Mid Valley 62
Blue Ridge 36
At Blue Ridge, Mariah Ford had 22 points and six steals to lead Mid Valley to a Division III-IV crossover win.
Erica Haefele had 10 points and 10 assists for the Spartanettes.
Isabella Cosmello led Blue Ridge with 12 points.
Wyalusing 45
Montrose 36
At Montrose, Brooke Force scored 23 points to lead Wyalusing to a nonleague win.
Radvile Vaicluyte had 10 points for Montrose.
Wyoming Sem 53
Mountain View 34
At Mountain View, Maya Kornfeld scored 20 points to lead Wyoming Seminary.
Jamie Barhite had eight points for Mountain View.
NE Bradford 50
Elk Lake 30
At Elk Lake, Lydia Werner scored 12 points to lead Northeast Bradford.
Justine Johns had 14 points for Elk Lake.
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