Overtime loss eliminates Firehawk girls from CIF playoffs

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BP Photo by Gilad Spitzer

SHOT: Firehawk guard Maital Hiller completes a fade-away jumper in the Shalhevet loss to Campbell Hall 66-63 in overtime Feb. 18. It’s the second year in a row that Firehawks were sent home from the CIF playoffs in overtime. 

By Alex Rubel, Senior Editor

A rollercoaster thriller fell out of reach in overtime for the Firehawk girls Wednesday night Feb. 18, when they lost to the Campbell Hall Vikings 66-63 in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 4A playoffs. 

The first half was truly neck-and-neck, and the game was tied 27-27 at halftime. In the second half,  Campbell Hall managed to build an eight point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Firehawks managed to chip away at the deficit.

With 12 seconds left in regulation, sophomore Talia Tizabi drained a clutch go-ahead three-pointer, putting Shalhevet up 61-60. Campbell Hall tied it at 61 each with a free-throw. 

In overtime, the Vikings took an early lead, and the Firehawks were unable to bounce back. Last year’s Firehawk playoff run also ended with a playoff loss, but it was in a less competitive Division 5A and in the semi-finals. 

This year, the Firehawks already won the annual Milken Tournament and went a perfect 5-0 in their Mulholland League competition. They hope to continue their impressive season with a win in the Hyman P. Galbut Tournament in Miami this week. Shalhevet has never won that tournament before.