The Lady Rattlers took down Austin Vandegrift 49-46 on Tuesday night. The win advanced San Marcos to their first regional final since 1992.
“When that clock hit zero it was all the dreams, the fight, the blood, sweat, and tears, everything since last offseason that we said we wanted to accomplish coming to fruition,” said San Marcos head coach Cooper Haralson.
The game was neck-and-deck from the tip, with neither team able to mount a lead larger than two possessions in the first.
Rileigh Good got the Lady Rattlers on the board with a three, as she and Azariah Fennell combined for 10 of the Lady Rattlers 12 points.
San Marcos led 12-11 after the first quarter.
The Lady Vipers were able to grow a lead in the second quarter, hitting a couple three-pointers in the midst of a 8-0 run to take a 24-16 lead.
San Marcos called a timeout to regroup and responded with five straight points of their own, including a three-pointer from Ezra Tobias.
Vandegrift led 26-21 at halftime.
The Lady Rattlers came out swinging in an attempt to eliminate Vandegrift’s lead, opening the quarter on an 8-2 run after a Rileigh Good three-pointer put them up 29-28.
Each side traded scores for the remainder of the quarter, but a Vandegrift buzzer-beating jumper gave them a 38-36 lead going into the fourth.
It was a defensive battle in the game’s final quarter, neither team allowing the opposing offense an inch. San Marcos junior forward Melayna Perkins converted on a layup to make it a one-point game. After a stop on defense, senior guard Ezra Tobias was able to add two points to give the Lady Rattlers a 43-42 lead.
On the other end, Vandegrift scored on an and one to make it 44-43, but they couldn’t convert the free throw. On the ensuing possession, Tobias took the ball to the rim and was fouled.
Tobias made the first free throw, but couldn’t convert the second. However, Melayna Perkins came up with a massive offensive rebound and scored to give the Lady Rattlers a 46-44 lead.
“As soon as I saw that miss I just gave it my all to get up there, get that ball, and put it in the basket,” said Perkins. “I always fight for rebounds because I’m always down there, so to get that rebound and get a bucket really just, honestly, sealed that game for us.”
“I felt it come off wrong, and for her to come back and put two points in was amazing,” said Tobias. “For her to be big down there was a great thing for her.”
The Lady Rattlers were able to come up with a big stop on defense, but the ball went out of bounds off San Marcos, giving Vandegrift another opportunity with 21 seconds to go.
Once again, San Marcos got a stop, forcing a jump ball with the possession arrow in their favor with 17 seconds left. On the ensuing inbound, the Lady Rattlers threw a long pass down the court that was intercepted by Vandegrift. However, senior guard Ayleceia Pierson quickly regained possession and handed it off to Ezra Tobias to shoot two free throws.
Tobias missed the first free throw, but converted on the second to give San Marcos a 47-44 lead with 13 seconds left. On Vandegrift’s following possession, they drew a foul and converted both free throws to make it 47-46 with five seconds remaining.
With four seconds left, the game was once again on the shoulders of senior Ezra Tobias at the free throw line. She converted on both shots to give the Lady Rattlers a 49-46 lead.
Vandegrift’s half-court shot came up short, as San Marcos won to advance to the regional final for the first time since 1992.
“It’s a big accomplishment for San Marcos, for us,” said Tobias. “For the group of girls that we had to come together, it’s amazing. I love these girls to death.”
With the game taking place at James Bowie High School in Austin, San Marcos traveled well. Packing their side of the gym, and even overflowing into part of Vandegrift’s side. It was almost like the Lady Rattlers were back at the Snake Pit.
“I couldn’t be more appreciative of our fans coming out and supporting these girls in this moment,” said Haralson. “Our girls have earned that, they’ve earned that type of following.”
The Lady Rattlers advance to the regional finals to take on San Antonio Churchill.
