The East Penn Conference girls basketball final between Bethlehem Catholic and Allentown Central Catholic was the game coaches, players, and fans had been waiting for all season.

And after a 45-42 nail-biting victory for the Hawks, Becahi has the honor of being the last champion in the LVC and now the first champion in the EPC.

"It means a lot to me, but it's the girls who put in the time, and I'm happy for them," said Becahi coach Jose Medina.

Still, Medina's calm-under-pressure demeanor means just as much to those same girls.

Becahi senior forward Kalista Walters said, "I give that to him. He can take full credit for that. He has a block-them-out mentality."

The Hawks' first test came in the opening minute when Central scored first on a three-pointer by Alyssa Mack, and Vikette fans exploded in cheers.

"We didn't underestimate them, but I thought, gosh, we need to step up on defense," said Walters.

After a Central pass was deflected off, then caught by Becahi guard, Nicole Lacherza, teammate, Maggie Melhem, converted for two points. Between Melhem and Walters, the Hawks led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was a different story, however, as the Vikettes scored 11-straight points, in addition to the fact that, offensively, the Hawks needed to make some quick adjustments.

Lacherza said, "They packed the middle in, so we had to slow it down."

It was Lacherza who gave the Hawks the coveted halftime lead when the Becahi senior scored two points and was fouled, converting on the free throw. It would take the halftime break to reorganize the Hawks.

"We had to figure out our offensive execution. [We talked about how] they can't speed us up. Going in, we knew there would be a lot of pressure, but we had to slow the game down," said Lacherza.

In addition, coach Medina alternated freshman guard, Natalie Rhine, in and out of the game.

"Central made an adjustment, and it allowed her to bring the ball up. They weren't guarding her, and she did well and ran the plays well," he said.

Becahi sophomore, Tessa Zamolyi, also came off the bench, most importantly hitting a three point shot to break a 29-29 tie late in the third quarter.

After Central's Kali Buckenmeyer scored four points to open the fourth quarter, Walters hit a three to tie the game at 37-37. It would be the last points scored for both teams for over three minutes.

Becahi guard, Jordynn Jones, grabbed a long rebound, and almost lost her footing as her momentum carried her down the court. Jones was then fouled and converted both shots of a one-and-one to break the tie making it 39-37.

"I was having a bad game, and I just came in, and I was thinking, I can't stop. Just go and draw the foul, and I was able to bring the team up because I knew this was our game," Jones said.

Mack tied the game for Central before Melhem made an outstanding pass to Walters who converted for two points and was fouled on the play. That make the score 42-39 in favor of Becahi.

Mack then missed a three, and Walters rebounded and was fouled, sinking both shots on a one-and-one to extend the Hawk lead to 44-39. Mack then hit a three to cut it to 44-42, but Walters was fouled soon after and made one shot to finish off the scoring and the game.

Coach Medina said, "How fitting it should be that it came down to the MVP."

Crunch time had begun and ended on the side of the Hawks.

"You have to give it all to get it. At crunch time, those turnovers and missed rebounds can't happen," said Walters. "This is amazing. I think I screamed so loud. We've had a lot of championships, but nothing like this one."