Dreher's Emily Newton drives past Lake Marion's Jamika Hanton.

It took every one of Shakeina Smith's career-high 36 points to save Dreher's season in a 70- 67 victory over Lake Marion on Tuesday February 16 in the first round of the girls' basketball 3A state playoffs. Smith's free throw with 15 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime after the Gators made a stunning and sudden comeback in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter.

Smith started the game by scoring ten of Dreher's 13 first quarter points. Her three- pointers kept the Blue Devils afloat while Lake Marion's defense wreaked havoc on the Dreher offensive game plan. For the Gators, Jasmine Smith pounded inside for seven points and Imani Sellers blocked several Dreher fast break lay ups. The score was appropriately tied after one, 13- 13.

Late in the second quarter, Dreher finally was able to use its press to force turnovers and score easy baskets. Guards Emily Newton, Smith, and Gerrysha Sullivan scored all 16 Dreher points in the second, pushing the Devils to a nine- point lead, 29- 20.

Dreher guard Shakeina Smith directs the Dreher offense. Smith had a game- high 36 points for the Devils.

In the third quarter, Sellers took over for Lake Marion with drives to the basket and tough defense. The Gators inched back into the game throughout the quarter until a late burst of defensive pressure from Dreher, much like the second quarter, pushed the Devils back out to a nine- point lead. Smith led the way again for Dreher with eight more points in the third leaving a 43- 34 lead for the Blue Devils.

By the start of the fourth quarter, both teams had accumulated enough fouls to send each other to the line on almost every play. Back - and- forth Dreher and Lake Marion traded free throws and an occasional basket throughout the fourth quarter. Finally, in the final three minutes of regulation, Lake Marion made a handful of baskets including two three- pointers by Arthea Simmons. Unable to get the ball up court, Dreher turned the ball over and was forced to foul Sellers. With five points in the final 51 seconds, Sellers gave Lake Marion a one- point lead with 15 seconds to play. Smith knocked down the second of two free throws, sending the game to overtime.

Dreher took an immediate lead in overtime on a free throw by Christa Canty and never trailed again. The Blue Devils could never earn more than a four- point lead because every time they made free throws, Lake Marion would answer with a basket or free throws of their own.

Finally, after Canty pushed Dreher's lead to four with 33 seconds left, Lake Marion ran out of answers. Making just one free throw out of their final four tries, the Gators could not catch the Blue Devils.