Bethlehem Catholic’s 62-60 girls’ basketball victory over Mastery Charter High School came down to foul shots and rebounds in the final 35 seconds of its second round PIAA Class AAA tournament game last Wednesday at Souderton Area High School.

“I was thinking just do it for the team,” said Becahi guard, Natalie Rhine, who converted one of two free throws after teammate, Tessa Zamolyi, also converted one to break a 60-60 tie.

Mastery Charter failed to score on the next possession, and Becahi had another chance that missed but was rebounded by Becahi’s Briana Barnard, who lay on the ball for three long seconds until time ran out.

“I just tried to lock up and rebound,” said Barnard. “I had to dive.”

The Hawks’ bench erupted onto the floor in fierce celebration.

“I want to cry, scream, laugh,” said Becahi guard, Jordynn Jones. “So many things going through my body at once.”

Jones, who scored 18 points, was on an emotional rollercoaster at the time, having just fouled out of the game.

“On my part, it was a dumb foul. They threw a crosscourt pass, and I saw it too late,” Jones said. “My coaches said keep your head up and cheer for the team. It was crazy at the end.”

Jones tied the game early with a three-point shot on a quick pass from Morgan Orloski, thanks to a rebound by Zamolyi. Sarah Baumann added two points to put the Hawks ahead 13-11.

Becahi went on a ten point run to start the second quarter, sparked by a three pointer by Barnard. Rhine, Orloski, and Zamolyi also had their share of threes throughout the game.

After Baumann hit two free throws and a timeout was called, the sophomore forward inbounded the ball underneath to Zamolyi who scored, and the Hawks’ lead was widened 27-19.

Mastery Charter pulled to within three points by halftime, and continued their attack into the third quarter with back-to-back threes by Nahiemah Johnson which put the Pumas ahead by four points.

“I think we were coming out of the locker room kind of cool with it, and we also didn’t want to foul,” said Zamolyi, who had 13 rebounds.

In addition, the Pumas had caught on to Becahi’s outside game, and the Hawks found themselves trailing 46-38 in the fourth quarter.

“At the end, we had to take it to the basket,” said Jones, who did just that three times.

In addition, Becahi coach Jose Medina attempted to keep his starters out of foul trouble by substituting Barnard and Solei Rodriguez in on defense.

“We pushed to the end and executed, and the weight is off our shoulders,” said Zamolyi. “I’m just so happy.”