New London-Spicer coach Mike Dreier isn’t hesitant to put the burden on the shoulders of sophomore guard Shea Oman.

Oman converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 4.5 seconds remaining, giving the Wildcats an emotional 49-46 victory over No. 2-ranked Sauk Centre in the Class 2A semifinals Friday night at Williams Arena. Oman scored all 10 of her points in the second half.

“That’s always a tough spot to put a sophomore in,” Dreier said. “I have to give her credit, she got it done.”

Dreier called a timeout with 10.6 seconds left, setting up Oman on the final play. She was able to lose Sauk Centre sophomore guard Maesyn Thiesen with a behind-the-back dribble and convert the layup as she was fouled by junior guard Jill Klaphake. She also made the free throw and a short time later was celebrating as Sauk Centre missed a desperation three-pointer.

“I had been struggling with my layups tonight,” Oman said. “He felt I was going to be able to make a play. I’m just thankful the shot went in.”

The Mainstreeters (30-2) tied it at 46-all on Thiesen’s steal and layup with 49 seconds left. She had a game-high 20 points.

Oman had given the Wildcats a 46-44 lead with another driving basket 30 seconds earlier. She also made two free throws with 3:04 left to pull the Wildcats within one.

“We played our hearts out, and came away with a win,” Oman said. “It was crazy.”

The Wildcats (25-6) overcame a seven-point deficit with 5:57 remaining. They closed the game on a 14-4 run. Senior Megan Thorson and junior Kabrie Weber, both forwards, paced Dreier’s squad with 12 points apiece.

First Report

New London-Spicer and Sauk Centre have grown accustomed to seeing each other. They have been in the same conference, and the same section.

Now, they had an opportunity to square off on the big stage. It was even more intense than the previous battles between the rival schools.

In a sharp contrast to the opening semifinal matchup, the tempo was much to the delight of New London-Spicer coach Mike Dreier. He got exactly what he wanted when he had a chance to draw up a play during a timeout with 10.6 seconds left.

Sophomore guard Shea Oman converted an old fashioned three-point play on a driving layup and foul with 4.5 seconds left, lifting the Wildcats over No. 2-ranked Sauk Centre 49-46 in the Class 2A semifinals Friday night at Williams Arena.

The Mainstreeters tied it at 46-all on sophomore guard Maesyn Thiesen’s steal and layup with 51 second left. She scored a game-high 20 points.


Photo gallery: New London-Spicer vs. Sauc Centre