By PAUL GOTHAM
VICTOR, N.Y. — Less than three minutes remained in the fourth quarter of Monday’s Class A semi-final when Codi Mrozek walked down the sideline trying to get the attention of a game official.
The first-year Webster Schroeder head coach didn’t get the desired timeout.
Seconds later, Andraia DiPisa buried a 3-pointer from the opposite side of the floor to give Mrozek’s Warriors a one-point lead on the way to a 57-52 victory over Canandaigua.
The timeout deferred reaped immediate dividends.
“I guess that’s the benefit of having a female voice,” Mrozek said of the first try at a stop in action. “God was watching over me on that one.”
DiPisa’s three gave Schroeder a lead it only relinquished for a brief moment, and Mariah Watkins scored eight of her game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter including six straight over the next two minutes as Schroeder earned its first trip to the finals in two decades.
“That’s what this team has been about,” Mrozek said. “They have always been about everyone contributing. Mariah will be the first one tell you that.”
After three lead changes in the opening moments of the fourth quarter, Canandaigua’s Kyleigh Chapman scored on back-to-back possessions to give the Braves a 47-42 lead with 3 minutes and 53 seconds remaining in the game.
Kyleigh Chapman has 6 in the 4th. 3:53 remaining @CABravesSports 47-42. pic.twitter.com/zE0vuv5N0f
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 1, 2022
Sarah Ferruzza cut the deficit to two at 47-45 with a 3-pointer of her own. Schroeder’s defense forced a second straight turnover at the opposite of the floor before DiPisa delivered her second triple of the final quarter.
Mya Herman gave Canandaigua a brief lead with a pair of free throws.
Watkins followed with a runner in the lane and then converted four straight from the free throw line for a 54-49 lead with 22.1 seconds left in the contest.
Mariah Watkins in the lane. @Schroedergbball 50-49. 57.3 remaining. @CABravesSports ball. pic.twitter.com/0QlSz4JZNw
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 1, 2022
Watkins, a sophomore, hit two more from the stripe. The second of which was the 1,000th of her career.
Bria Watkins, Mariah’s younger sister, finished with 11 points in the game. DiPisa had eight. Julia Perales accounted for six in the win.
Save, Ava Gallup. Triple, Julia Perales. Heading to the 4th: @Schroedergbball 37 @CABravesSports 36 pic.twitter.com/xdp4DBdxre
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) February 28, 2022
Abbey Herod led Canandaigua with 14 points. Herman had 13 and Chapman 11. Liv Schorr and Macy Bacon scored seven apiece for Canandaigua (21-2). The Braves had won 20 straight games including a 49-38 decision over Schroeder in late January.
Schroeder (16-6) advances to the finals for the first time since 2001. The Warriors will face five-time reigning champion, Pittsford Mendon.
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