Lady Celtics hold on in OT battle with Father Lopez, 49-46

Trinity Catholic’s Kieley Bateman (10) drives to the basket past Father Lopez’ Madi Kollar (5) during a basketball game at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

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Posted January 14, 2022 | By Joel Bronson

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Kieley Bateman carried the load for the Lady Celtics, scoring a game-high 25 points and pocketing ten steals, as Trinity Catholic held off the Father Lopez Lady Green Wave in overtime 49-46.

Trinity Catholic’s leading scorer, Rose Gravel, got into early foul trouble that limited her minutes in the first half. With Gravel out, Father Lopez was able to take advantage in the paint.

Junior center Alana Francis filled the stat sheet with 22 points, six rebounds and five steals for Father Lopez to lead the Lady Green Wave to a 26-21 halftime lead.

Gravel made her presence felt in the second half, scoring 12 of her 14 points in the second half. The insertion of the Lady Celtics leading scorer helped chip away at the Father Lopez lead.

Trinity Catholic utilized a strong press, forcing turnovers that allowed Trinity Catholic to tie the game at the end of regulation, 42-42.

Bateman would steal a Father Lopez pass and score for a 44-42 Lady Celtics lead. Gravel hit one of two free throws to extend the lead to three with one minute left in the extra frame.

Francis would hit two free throws to cut the Trinity Catholic lead to one with :46 left, but Gravel would nail another two free throws to seal the win.

With the loss, Father Lopez falls to 11-6 on the season. The Lady Green Wave will host Mount Dora Christian next Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Trinity Catholic moves to 16-3 on the season and will host North Marion next Tuesday in a matchup of two of Marion County’s best girls’ basketball programs. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.