Taylor Evans' game-winner caps Amanda-Clearcreek's dramatic comeback over Utica

UTICA – Amanda-Clearcreek senior guard Taylor Evans was bottled up in the first half against Utica.

The Redskins played a box-in-one defense on Evans the entire game, and for three quarters, it worked. However, in the fourth quarter, Evans showed grit and determination and willed her team to a thrilling 42-41 victory in a Central District Division V district semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

 Held to just two points through the first three quarters, Evans helped lead the Aces to the comeback victory by scoring the game-winner with five seconds remaining on an out-of-bounds play. She usually takes the ball out, but this time, Amanda-Clearcreek switched things up.

Evans received a screen, came across the lane, received the ball, and after a fake handoff, which both Utica defenders went with, Evans took two dribbles and layed in an uncontested layup. The Redskins had a good look at a 3-pointer, but it missed its mark, and Evans grabbed the rebound to seal it.

After starting season 1-12, the Aces have now won 10 of their last 11 games, and they have now knocked off the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds to punch their ticket to the district championship game against the No. 1 seed Columbus Academy at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Evans finished with seven points, five in the crucial fourth-quarter comeback, but she had 14 rebounds, all in the second half, including seven in the fourth quarter.

“It has been our thing the entire season,” Evans said. “We found a way to battle through, we stayed the course, trusted our teammates and our coaches. I didn’t score in the first half because their defense was so good. I realized at halftime that I wasn't going to get anything by myself in the half-court because of their defense, so I knew I had to rebound the basketball. I told myself at halftime that if I wanted to score or create for my teammates, I needed to rebound the ball and push the ball down the floor. It wasn't just me, but all of our players stepped up and were engaged in what we had to do.”

The Redskins led 15-9 at the end of the first quarter and 27-20 at halftime. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Redskins had a 33-24 advantage.

Utica’s 6-foot-2 junior Emily Ritzer dominated the first half inside, and the Aces had no answer for her. She finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds, but in the second half, Amanda-Clearcreek held her to four points and three rebounds.

Trailing 37-29 with just over six minutes remaining, the Aces began their dramatic comeback by going on an 11-0 run, thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from sophomore Channing Riley, a 3-pointer from Evans, and two free throws from Abbie Leist. When the dust had settled, the Aces had a 40-37 lead.

The Redskins regained the lead when Ritzer scored inside, and Mekenna Wilson scored on a rebound bucket, giving the Redskins a 41-40 lead with 33 seconds left. Amanda-Clearcrrek took a shot with the clock winding down, and on the rebound, there was a tie-up with the arrow pointing the Aces’ way, which ultimately set up Evans’ game-winner.

“This defined our season with everything this team has been through,” Leist said. “When Taylor tore her ACL in the summer, it has been an uphill battle, but over the last month with her back in the lineup, it has just clicked, and now we get to go play for a district championship. I could not be prouder of a group. It is a testament to all of our players for stepping up.”

Riley led the Aces with 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Leist had 10 points, and Makenna Singleton dished out five assists.

Emily Meyers hit three 3-pointers and finished with nine points for the Redskins, who finished the season at 18-5.

Utica coach Micah Keith said, “The difference was we dominated the boards in the first half, but to their credit, they started crashing the glass and was able to get extra possessions, especially in the fourth quarter. I’m proud of the way our girls fought.”

Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Amanda-Clearcreek's Taylor Evans hits game-winner vs. Utica