The varsity girls basketball team played Langley for the second time this season, this time playing in Langley’s home gym. The Highlanders and Saxons butted heads to win the honor of taking home the Rotary Cup, the symbol of victory in the crosstown rivalry. The game was tightly contested throughout all four quarters, as both sides scrambled to hold onto any lead they could get.

During practices in the days before the game, McLean strategized plans to try to neutralize Langley’s best players.

“Our strategy was to guard the two point guards for Langley very close so it would be hard for them to score,” junior Kara Bremser said. “We also talked about the team setting a lot of screens for me since we knew they had the same strategy as us.”

Looking forward, the Highlanders knew that the level of competition between the two was even, and the game would be decided by which side gave the most effort.

“I did think we were going to win, but it all came down to effort,” senior Mia Fitzgerald said. “I do believe we brought that to this game, but we fell short by one point.”

After a back and forth first half, the Highlanders took the lead starting the third quarter. Fatigue set in among players as Langley  outscored McLean 17-12 in the third quarter..

“Some [of our] weaknesses were our fast break defense and simply missing a couple easy shots,” Fitzgerald said. “If we knocked down a few of those, the game would have been ours.”

The fourth quarter marked a nerve-racking period with the audience, limited due to Covid restrictions, on the edge of their seats. The teams were tied 34-34 with under a minute left, resulting in overtime.

“The most stressful point of the game was the end of the game,” Fitzgerald said. “The score would fluctuate often during overtime and the game came down to fouling and making free throws. Even though free throws are easy and simple, it’s a lot of pressure with the game on your back.”

With each team’s fouls increasing, foul shots were a crucial part in who was going to win the game.

“In overtime it was tied within the score and fouls. [We] had to work together to do effective defense, but it is hard when the time is ticking and the other team has the ball,” Bremser said.

The intense showdown brought a mixture of emotions, yet the girls kept their heads high despite the loss.

“The feeling of knowing it was the last rivalry game of the season is definitely upsetting. It is an experience that cannot be replicated,” Fitzgerald said. “But hopefully we will see Langley again at the district championship.”