With 18.8 seconds left in a tie game, Brooks brought the ball up court before an entry pass at the elbow set up the return pass with time winding down. She drove the lane and hit a shot in the paint falling away to the left that found the bottom of the net as time expired.
Brooks, the North Carolina State commit and McDonald's All American, had been out the previous two games with a foot injury and turned in a Willis Reed-worthy performance, willing SJV back from a 12-point halftime deficit to advance the Lancers to the state Non-Public A title game against Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township).
She dropped 23 of her game-high 33 in the second half, including 14 in a pivotal third period that saw St. John-Vianney (31-0) flip a 34-22 deficit into a 42-40 advantage.
Zoe Brooks scored 23 of her game-high 33 in the second half as No. 7 St. John-Vianney beat No. 9 Paul VI 63-61 in the South Jersey Non-Public A final on Wednesday. Brooks, a North Carolina State commit, hit the game-winner at the buzzer. (Photo: Robert Barnes)
But Paul VI didn't back down, especially with its own McDonald's All American
Hannah Hidalgo at the helm. The Notre Dame commit scored nine of her 15 in the second half, but also drew double and triple teams that allowed her teammates to hit some clutch baskets.
In the fourth quarter, the game saw five lead changes and four ties. Paul VI trailed 56-50 with under three to play before
Shariah Baynes canned a deep 3-pointer and Hidalgo sank two free throws to cut the lead to one. Brooks answered down the lane before the Eagles responded with an
Eva Andrews triple off a Hidalgo drive-and-dish that knotted the game at 58.
Janie Bachmann gave St. John-Vianney some cushion in the last minute, hitting her first free throw before missing the second. However, she grabbed the long rebound and finished in the paint as the Lancers led 61-58. Andrews again came through with a 3-pointer to tie the game at 61 with 18.8 left to set up the wild finish.
Baynes led Paul VI with 16 points while Andrews added 10.
Ashley Sofilkanich had 11 for St. John-Vianney as Bachmann added eight.
St. John-Vianney came into the game riding a 91-game win streak against New Jersey opponent and hadn't lost to Paul VI in four meetings.
