As the clock struck high noon on a cold Sunday afternoon, things were heating up in the Old Post Road gym as equally matched Georgetown and Providence prepared to take the court in the Walpole Youth Basketball Association’s (WYBA) game of the week. Georgetown, sponsored by Walpole Little League, were trying to get back into it after going cold mid-season while Providence, who is sponsored by Sharp Hair Studios, was attempting to keep their hot streak alive after rebounding from a slow start. Georgetown came flying out of the gate, eager to prove that they are still one of the best, and were up 8-2 by the end of the first of eight 5-minute shifts. It seemed as though Georgetown was going to run away with the game, but Providence wasn’t going to give up that easily. Thanks to their explosiveness when going towards the rim, Providence slowly climbed back into the game, working their way within three points to make it 23-20 at the half.
As the second half began, both teams traded baskets back and forth, neither able to pull ahead. Once again Georgetown began to build up a lead, but once again Providence clawed their way back to within two going into the final 5-minute shift. Just one minute into the final shift, Providence stole the ball, took it coast to coast, and tied the game at 30 all. Georgetown pulled ahead with a long 2-point jump shot with just two minutes left. It seemed as though that would be the final blow to the already exhausted Providence, but they once again showed why they were the team to beat and tied it up at 32 all with only 1 minute left. For what seemed like an eternity both teams came up and down the floor without scoring. With 3.4 seconds left, Providence called a time out to create a set play and give their players a rest. Providence got the ball of the inbound, swung it around the three point arc, and took a fade away three just as the buzzer sounded. The ball hit front rim and bounced out as a collective gasp was released by the audience. The game went into a 2-minute overtime, winner take all. Right from the tip-off, Georgetown scored on a layup and prevented Providence from getting any decent shots off. With just 36 seconds left, Providence hit a fade away jumper to tie the game at 34 all. Providence called another time out in the final seconds, but this time they didn’t manage to get off a decent shot. The team’s records showed that it would be an evenly matched game, and they sure didn’t lie. The game ended in a tie, a rare occurrence in basketball. “It was a great team game,” said Georgetown coach Kathleen Moser, “but we just couldn’t put the ball in the hoop when it was crunch time.” Both teams proved that they were a force to be reckoned with so look for them to do well in the upcoming playoffs.
