By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
VICKSBURG - Gull Lake wanted revenge on Niles and it got it.
The Blue Devils, now 23-1, grabbed a 51-49 win in overtime of the Class B Regional semifinal game, advancing it to the final game on Wednesday against Battle Creek Harper Creek.
Gull Lake suffered its first and only loss of the season to Niles back in September and did everything in its power to hand that loss right back to the Vikes.
Niles' dreams of finally making it to state were cut very short as a strong, efficient defense from the Blue Devils shut down the Vikings offense, especially senior leader Brandie Radde, who was held to only four points in the game.
In the first meeting between the two teams, Radde and Sarah Dreher combined for 56 points. On Monday, they were held to only 27.
Another problem Niles faced was rebounding, as the Blue Devils dominated the boards on both offense and defense.
The winning basket was decided with 9.5 seconds remaining in overtime, when Gull Lake senior Jennifer Perrin made a layup.
Megan Scameheorn drove the ball in for Niles as seconds wound down, but her shot rolled off the rim and into the hands of Gull Lake's Christina Edwards.
While most of the game stayed very close, Niles had only one lead advantage after the first period of play, posting an 11-9 lead heading into the second.
Gull Lake was able to pull ahead and take a small lead in and had an 18-17 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was the best for the Blue Devils and the worst for the Lady Vikes as Gull Lake was able to go ahead by nine points, entering the final period with a 35-26 lead.
But that lead quickly diminished as Dreher was able to come up with some big buckets for Niles, scoring the first six points of the period.
Amanda Pingel was left wide open twice and knocked down some big three-pointer for the Vikings.
Scameheorn also bombed a three-pointer and Jessica Shinsky added a free throw.
A half court shot from Radde with seconds left fell short, putting the teams into overtime tied at 46.
Gull Lake went 3-for-4 on the line, posting a 49-46 lead with two minutes on the clock.
Dreher went 1-for-2 on the line and made a bucket, tying the game at 49, but Perrin's lay-up is what decided the game.
As the final buzzer sounded, the tears started rolling, some teammates still in disbelief that the season was over.
Leading scorers for Niles were Dreher with 23 points and eight rebounds, Scameheorn with nine points, Pingel with eight points, Shinsky with five points and six rebounds and Radde with four points, five assists and four blocks.
For Gull Lake, Edwards ended with 19 points and Erin Goebel had nine.
The Vikings end their season with a 19-4 record.
For seniors Dreher, Radde, Scameheorn, Shinsky, Stephanee Schrader, Lauryn Gibson and Rebecca Teske, it marked the end of their high school basketball careers.
Niles 11 17 26 46 49
Gull Lake 9 18 35 46 51
NILES
Amanda Pingel 1 2 0-0 8, Shelley Aurand 0 0-0 0, Lindsay Craig 0 0-0 0, Megan Scameheorn 2 1 2-2 9, Brandie Radde 2 0-0 4, Sarah Dreher 7 1 8-11 23, Stephanee Schrader 0 0-0 0, Lauryn Gibson 0 0-0 0, Jessica Shinsky 2 1-2 5, Brittney Wolverton 0 0-0 0, Rebecca Teske 0 0-0 0, Baysia Coz 0 0-0 0.
GULL LAKE
Jacki Fry 0 0-1 0, Jennifer Perrin 4 0-2 8, Lisa Kueper 0 0-0 0, Carrie Grubis 1 1 0-0 5, Laura Morris 0 0-0 0, Amanda Gajor 0 0-0 0, Aleighsha Bowker 0 0-0 0, Christine White 0 0-0 0, Thrya Walls 3 2-2 8, Christina Edwards 4 11-14 19, Erin Goebel 3 2-4 9, Jamie Smith 1 0-0 2.