Mira Costa freshman Yeh’s two free throws send title game against Redondo into overtime
Photos by Ray Vidal
It was exactly the situation every baller — high school, college or pro — dreams about and practices for in the backyard or driveway: you’re fouled on a buzzer beating shot and go to the free throw line with a chance to tie or win the game.
All you have to do is make the foul shots under enormous pressure and you’re a hero — at least in your fantasy.
Mira Costa freshman star Kylee Yeh found herself in that fantasy situation for real Thursday night in the regular season finale with the game and the Bay League title on the line.
If she made all three foul shots, the Mustangs would win the game, finish 9-1 in league and share the league championship with Redondo, which also would finish 9-1.
If she made two of the three foul shots, the game would be tied and the two teams would play on into overtime.
If she made only one or none of the three foul shots, Redondo would win the game and the league title with a 10-0 record – with Costa falling to 8-2, it’s only two losses both to Redondo.
All that pressure was riding on the three foul shots.
Add in that it was a home game for Costa and that by this time – 7:30 in a game that started at 6 – the stands were packed with hundreds of screaming spectators who turned out for the boys rivalry game and saw the fabulous finish of an instant classic girls game, another sign of the growing popularity of girls basketball at all levels – high school, college and professional.
Oh, and there was one more pressure-inducing factor: because there was no time left on the clock, Yeh stepped to the foul line with no other players on the court. No teammates to slap high-fives with and encourage her, no Redondo players to talk trash to her.
Nothing familiar or comfortable.
No, it was just Yeh and the deafening roar coming from the crowd as she was handed the ball for her first foul shot.
The freshman, who has been the Mustang’s floor leader and second-best player all year — behind only senior star JuJu O’Brien, who had to sit out the game with a hand injury – bounced the basketball once, twice, three times and let it fly.
Swish.
If possible, the decibel level increased as the ref handed her the ball again. She bounced it once, twice, three times and let it fly again.
Clank.
The ball hit the left side of the rim, rolled around, and bounced off as the Mira Costa side groaned and the Sea Hawk side cheered to the rafters.
But she had one more shot, still a chance to tie the game. The ref handed her the ball again.
Again she went through her routine – bounce the ball once, twice, three times – deep knee bend, snap the wrist and shoot.
Swish.
The game was tied at 55-55.
Overtime.
But the overtime was anti
climactic, at least for the Mira Costa fans who filled the bulk of the gym. The much larger Sea Hawk team, led by their 6-foot-4 All-Everything star, Ella Zimmerman, finally wore the gutty Mustangs down.
Zimmerman scored on an inside post move, hit two foul shots and then stuck a 10-foot baseline jumper. Suddenly it was 61-55 Redondo and the air had gone out of the Costa side of the Fisher Athletic Complex.
Yeh hit a late three-pointer – she finished with a game high 23 points. But the Sea Hawk size and depth proved too much for the Mustangs in a 64-60 win.
It was a heartbreaking loss for Costa because they had jumped out to a 7-0 lead on favored Redondo and maintained that lead all the way to halftime, when the Mustangs had a 35-29 lead.
But the younger Zimmerman sister, 6-foot sophomore Abby Zimmerman, hit a three-pointer to open the third quarter and pull the Sea Hawks within 35-32. Then Costa slowly watched that hard earned lead shrink until finally Chloe Choy hit a three and Redondo pulled ahead 51-49.
Ella Zimmerman hit two foul shots that gave Redondo a 55-53 lead with 10 seconds left.
Yeh raced up the court with the ball and launched a three that barely missed as the buzzer sounded. The noise level was so high that most spectators missed the foul that was called on the shot.
And because it was a three-pointer, Yeh was entitled to three foul shots. That set the stage for the gripping drama that saw her hit two to tie but not three to win.
But Yeh is so fearless, so quick, so skilled as a freshman that there are bound to be plenty of chances for her to shine in the next three seasons.
This game, however, ultimately belonged to Redondo and its star Ella Zimmerman. She finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, four steals, three assists and three blocks. Abby Zimmerman had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Chloe Choy chipped in with 10 points.
It was a game that will long be remembered – by both sides. They were there when a star was born.
In the late game, the Redondo boys team beat Mira Costa 64-50 to end the regular season with a 10-0 league record and earn the Bay League title. Mira Costa finished 5-5 in league for third place.
Contact: teetor.paul@gmail.com. ER