Strath Haven’s (12) Maddie Fanning with the layup basket against Radnor Wednesday night in round 2 of PIAA State playoffs held at Bensalem High School. (PETE BANNAN-DAILY TIMES)
By Matt Smith
The fourth time was the charm for Olivia Voshell and Strath Haven.
After enduring three losses to Central League rival Radnor, including a setback in the District 1 quarterfinals, the Panthers finally exacted revenge Wednesday night at Bensalem High, rallying for a stunning 54-43 overtime win in the second round of the PIAA Class 5A tournament.
Freshman Maddie Fanning recorded a steal with less than a minute to go in regulation and raced the other way before floating in the game-tying basket. In OT, Strath Haven outscored the district champion Raptors 13-2 to seal the improbable win.
The Panthers (15-13) extended their Cinderella run to the state quarterfinals, where they’ll face District 2’s Crestwood Saturday at a site and time to be determined.
Strath Haven trailed by 11 midway through the fourth but closed the game on a 27-6 surge. Senior co-captain Olivia Voshell drove strong to the rim for a go-ahead layup that put Haven up 43-41, a lead the Panthers never relinquished.
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