One shot hit the rim, then another, then a third, and then it was over.
The ECS Elecs senior girls couldn't find that one elusive basket and lost 60-59 in overtime to the Moose Jaw Central Cyclones in the semifinal of their annual Shoot For A Cure basketball tournament on Saturday.
Moments after Central drained a shot at the other end to take the lead, the Elecs had three chances from under the net just before the buzzer.
"In overtime, we had three opportunities to score and we never did. We were very mentally pressured," said head coach Jessie Elias.
The Elecs also had a chance to win the game in the dying seconds in the fourth quarter.
They would go on to lose 43-37 to Melville in the third-place game.
"It was very tough, but it was a great experience. I'd rather lose this early on in the season compared to the end, when it counts," said Elias.
"The first quarter, we were up on them and then we kind of lost it."
The senior girls had played at a tournament in Swift Current the previous weekend and lost to Central by 30 points. Elias credited much of the difference to having Kelci Little in the lineup.
"She's a big contributor to the team. Having her this weekend helped us mentally. She's a team leader on and off the court. Even though she didn't score a lot, she's a big contributor to our defending.
Little was assigned to cover one of Central's biggest players, Alex Butler. The Elecs advanced to the semis by taking out the Regina Miller Marauders 54-47 on Friday night.
"The win against Miller was really big, especially with all the support from our fans. It was really nice to have the jazz band and the cheerleaders there," Elias said.
As for the third-place game against Melville, Elias could tell that her team was tired out after losing their shot at winning the tournament.
"They weren't there during their last game. Their goal was to win their home tournament," she said.
Swift Current defeated Central in the championship game.
Elias credited Grade 12 players Little, Bridget Bjorndalen and Larissa Smeltzer for their play.
"My three Grade 12 players came out to play this weekend, which was great to see," she said. "The girls played with heart and passion and it was really nice to see. It was a huge difference from last weekend."
She also singled out Kristen Skjonsby, a Grade 9 starter with "drive and determination."
The team sold T-shirts and baking and accepted donations for the Canadian Cancer Society throughout the weekend, raising about $1,500 after expenses.
