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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer 3:30 AM Sunday, March 14, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Madison High School’s Lindsay Hoskins’ game-tying heroics in the first overtime period of the Mohawks’ 62-53 win over Versailles in a Division III regional final girls basketball game Saturday, March 13, came from sheer determination, not from any playbook.

There were 32 seconds left to play in the first overtime period, with Versailles leading 48-45 and the Mohawks’ season seemingly about to end.

But Hoskins nabbed a steal and passed upcourt to Adrianne Lehman, who initially hesitated then drove in from the right side. Lehman missed the shot, but was fouled by Megan Campbell with 12.4 seconds left in the overtime period.

Campbell fouled out on the play.

Lehman hit the first free throw to draw the Mohawks within two points, but her second try bounced off the right side of the rim. Hoskins, who was on the right block between two Tiger players, leapt between them to snare the rebound and score the putback with 2.2 seconds left to tie the score.

Versailles didn’t have enough time to score and the game went to a second overtime period.

Madison coach John Rossi wanted Lehman to miss the second try in hopes a Mohawk player could nab the rebound for the tie, right? Well, no.

“No we didn’t plan that,” Rossi said. “We wanted to try to put points on the board, and then get into denial defensive pressure, and then look to foul one of their kids. We knew (Megan) Campbell was out of the game, and we didn’t want to foul No. 32 (Bethany Ahrens). We were just fortunate that Lindsay came through with the rebound to tie it up.”

Lehman said that’s the most nervous she’s ever been at the foul line.

“When I was shooting those last free throws, I saw everybody cheering for me, and I was crying. I was surprised I even saw the basket,” Lehman said.

Hoskins said she had to do something to help her team.

“I didn’t want to lose. We’ve come so far. I wanted to do anything I could, because we deserved to win this game,” Hoskins said. “We’ve fought the whole way.”

Madison outscored Versailles 14-5 in the second OT to win.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.

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