The game of basketball can be cruel. For instance, it is possible to: a) carry the momentum throughout the game, b) win the rebounding battle, c) generate more open shot opportunities, and d) have four shot attempts to win the game in the closing minute, and still lose the game. 

That circumstance was the Alba-Golden Lady Panthers hosting the Frankston Maidens last Tuesday. Frankston went home with a 33-30 win.  

The Lady Panthers led the game 9-7 at the half. The lack of scoring was a direct result of solid defense being played at both ends of the court. 

The home side employed a box-and-one defensive scheme, with Jayla Sitar largely responsible for neutralizing the stand-out Maiden, Wila Davis. 

Sitar was remarkably effective, and the Frankston star could not shake free from Sitar. It was a stellar defensive effort. 

While Sitar was frustrating the Frankston offensive leader, her teammates were obstructing passing lanes and cleaning up on the boards.

Senior Landrie Boyd led the rebounding effort. Sadie Wright came away with three timely steals in the second quarter. 

Unfortunately, it was woeful shooting from the free throw line which cost the Lady Panthers in the end. They could have had a comfortable lead at the half had they simply sunk their free throw opportunities. 

The teams loosened up in the third quarter with Alba-Golden earning the edge. With under a minute to play Sitar hit a floater in the lane to put the Lady Panthers up 17-13.  

As the Maidens then attacked, Lainey Teel made an emphatic block to deny a shot attempt. All momentum was flowing to the Alba-Golden side of the gym. 

With Sitar catching a quick breather in the closing seconds of the quarter, Davis hit a long 3-pointer to close the score once again.

Comparatively speaking, the fourth quarter was a score fest. The Lady Panthers added 13 points, the Maidens’ 17. Frankston took the lead with 3:32 to play. 

In the final minutes, the Lady Panthers had five solid looks at the basket that came up for naught. In the last three minutes, the Lady Panthers shot 3 of 5 from the line. 

Even a last second steal of an inbound pass by Sitar could not be converted. Alba-Golden just ran out of chances. 

The Lady Panthers defeated Cayuga on Friday and finished their district run with a 6-6 record. They placed fourth and faced Jewett Leon in bi-district playoff action Tuesday.