With the advance meant to the eight eight, it was safe to say a big east championship was in the cards for UConn. All the girls on the team knew that this was a make or break moment for them as a team as It seemed that no one believed in UConn for making it to the final four.
Locker room
Geno: Girls, we have a hard game infront of us, We need to put it in high gear and push through this game. I know we are all tired, sore, and beaten up form the past games, but we need to show the world what UConn is.
Paige: Come on guys we've got this.
Geno: Together on 3, 1,2,3
the team: UConn
The Game recap:
Paige Bueckers lifts UConn back to the final four with 80 to 73 win over Juju Watkins and USC. But its was Rylee Clark that had the buzzer beat to send UConn to the Final four. Stuck as a spectator during last year's women's NCAA Tournament, Paige Bueckers didn't wast a moment this time. Every drive to the basket, every deflection on defense, every pass to Rylee Clark was about doing everything possible to get UConn back to the Final four. Or as Huskies coach Geno Auriemma put it, "Today was Paige doing Paige things". When Coach Auriemma was asked about the Bueckers and Clark duo he said "its our secret weapon of greatness"
Its was a showdown between Rylee Clark and Paige Beckers against USC freshman All-American JuJu Watkins, sparing a decisive run over the final fence minute guided by Clark that sent third-seeded UConn to its 23rd national semifinal.
UConn will face Caitlin Clark and Iowa one Friday in Cleveland. For the long awaited Clark vs Clark show. This game is predicted to be the highest streamed basketball game of the year with an already sold out stadium. Will Rylee and Paige have what it takes to pull out a win.
The Game:
First Quarter
Liz: We are here today for the match up between number 3 seed UConn and number 8 seed USC. We know that this game is going to be tough as Rylee Clark who was her classes number 1 recruit is against JuJu Watkins who was 2 over all recruit.
Jeff: Hi Liz, great to be back. We know that Juju and Rylee have played against each other in high school. But I'm excited to see what UConn has to offer as it seems once you figure UConn out they pull a new trick from their bag
Liz: Yes, Jeff I think that's what makes UConn so special is it never being predictable. We see that with he first quarter ending UConn with 17 and USC with 15 it's still anyone's game
Jeff: I agree as we know anything can happen with 5 minuets left in a game let alone 3 quarters of a game. But I want to mention the amazing defense Nika Mühl has been playing along side Clark who has intercepted passes 4 times this quarter.
Second Quarter:
Jeff: The UConn huskies are done right now with USC scoring 18 points and UConn with only 16 points. However it is important to note that Paige Beckers has had an amazing quarter with all 14 point thanks to her and Ice with great assist.
Liz: For the people tuning in right now. UConn has benched its start player Rylee Clark this quarter as it seems something if off with her shoulder.
Jeff: Yes, we know Clark is just coming out of an 8 week medical injury of a Collarbone break. It is might be smart to bench her for this game to bering her out for Iowa so she doesn't over exert herself. But UConn will need to dight deep to pull out that win
Liz: Ever since Coach Auriemma subbed Clark out it seemed to cause a problem with the other players. I just think Rylee is the glue to the team, she makes the plays flow and look so natural
Jeff: I agree but we have to address that Bueckers is out for blood tonight. With one foul right now and killer shots I think its her game to lead tonight
Third Quarter:
Jeff: Clark still sitting out with now ice on her shoulder and it wraped. I'm wondering if it was more than a strain on her injured shoulder. And this choice to sit out seemed to be effecting the team as UConn is still down by 3 points they will have to put it into high gear to pull out this win
Liz: I agree Jeff, but we know UConn is know for bringing it when their back is against a wall so we need to be patient and see
Forth Quarter:
Jeff: What an incredible game with UConn advancing to the final four. We will get to see the long awaited Clark vs Clark showdown and history happen
Liz: What a great quarter played by Paige and Rylee with Rylee coming back off the bench in the last 6 minuets of the game. I truly think this was the plan along, bring out the big guns.
On the court:
Geno: Damit: we are still down by 3, I will not leave this game to chance. Clark Get ready you back in
Rylee: Are your sure Coach
Geno: Yes, you just told me you shoulder is better so go out there and show them what UConn is
When Rylee got on the court not only was Paige and Nika grateful to have her back but were glad that she wasn't injured and out for the rest of the tournament. When Rylee stepped out on that court she preceded to shoot 16 point with in 6 minuets and cause 8 turnovers as well as steals. The crowed was going wild and in the last 5 second of the game there Rylee was about 3 feet way from half court. It was there she launched the ball towards the basket. And but a miracle and talent as the buzzer went off the Ball went through the hoop and added 3 more points to UConn's score pushing them to the final four. It was at this moment her team engulfed her and confetti fell.
Post Game Interview
Coach, Paige, and Rylee
Interviewer 1: Paige you killed it today. What are you feeling that your going to the final four?
Paige: Today was one of the most rewarding feelings I've ever felt in my life.Now I'm here with my teammates and coaching staff and going to the Final Four,It's been a very rewarding journey. I'm super, super grateful for it all. The tough times made me who I am. It's built my faith. It's built my appreciation for life and gratitude for anything that gets thrown my way.
Interviewer 2: Rylee, Coach benched you for the 2nd and third quarter what was that
Rylee: Yeah, I never question Coaches moves, in fact in the first quarter you can go back and watch but I dip down to drive the ball when one of the opposing team members ran into my shoulder, so. I think it was a mutual decision to let me recover and then go back out there. But also I know playing is a privilege, and so I am grateful for the minutes I get on the court
Interviewer 3: Coach was you decision to bench Clark a plan
Coach:I think our coaching staff had to deal with an enormous amount of things this year that we never had to deal with before. And it was agreed upon with Rylee that If we felt that she was in pain we would bench her. So it wasn't plan but I'm so proud of her and the rest of the team for pushing themselves to be all they can be
Interviewer 4: Rylee are you excited to go against Iowa, how do you feel that it will be against your sister
Rylee: Yeah, I'm excited. I just talked to Caitlin a little bit ago and we both know that at the end of the day there will only be one winner and as much as I want to win this for us and the team I know that we are family and Ill support her either way. I think we both want it so bad that It will push us to play hard and produce a great game for the views at home and in the stadium.
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Innocent strangers
FanfictionWhat if Caitlin Clark had a younger sister who was also a basketball prodigy, some even saying better than Caitlin. Except Rylee Clark accomplished what Caitlin didn't and that's playing for uconn. How will she do as a freshman, will she succeed or...
