Last-second foul blurs win for Maranatha

Trailing by two points with four seconds left against Maranatha, Spring Grove guard Randi Mehus took a desperation 30-foot three-point attempt that was partially blocked.

The ball fell into the hands of Maranatha center Onye Osemenam, who was swarmed by Spring Grove players as the final seconds ticked off.

Amid the chaos, a foul had apparently been called on Spring Grove. Referees viewed the replay to see whether it occurred before time ran out.

Fans on both sides howled, likely unaware that the Minnesota State High School League allows replay to be used to check the time a play occurred. Maranatha fans thought the officials were attempting to call a foul on the blocked shot. The time check verified a foul with 0.5 seconds left, to the boos of Spring Grove fans. Osemenam made two free throws.

"I'm still not sure what happened," Maranatha coach Jim Hammond said.

From jitters to better

Nerves were working on Mountain Iron-Buhl's Sarah Overbye in the first half of Friday's game. Twice in the first half, the guard passed up open shots in the lane, looking to pass instead. Both ended in turnovers, and her coaches were heard imploring Overbye to shoot in those situations.

She had a better second half: nine points, four rebounds, two assists.

"I knew we needed someone to step up and be a leader," she said. "I got a basket in the second half and that settled me down."

Smart talk on arenas

Ada-Borup coach David Smart, who coached the Cougars to state titles in 2008 and 2009, on Williams Arena, where the Class 1A quarterfinals were held, and Target Center:

"I'm not a big fan of Target Center. It's too cavernous," he said. "I love Williams Arena. I think Williams Arena is great for high school basketball. Target Center is great for pro basketball."