Fairfield Warde Girls Win Todd Burger Tournament

Fairfield Warde's Tiara Fountain knew her shot had a good chance the instant it left her finger tips.

Her 22-footer from the top of the key hit nothing but net with 0.7 seconds left in regulation to force overtime Thursday in the championship game of the Todd Burger tournament.

Given new life, the Mustangs defeated Brookfield 67-58 in double overtime to win the tournament for the fourth time in its five-year existence.

"I felt like the rotation was right and the timing was perfect, so I had a good feeling that it would go in and that we would go into overtime," she said.

Winning the Burger tournament always has been meaningful for Warde coach Dave Danko, who was close friends with the man for whom the tournament honors.

The late Todd Burger spent 14 years as the sports editor of the Fairfield Citizen before losing his battle against cancer in 2007. Danko felt Burger may have helped Fountain's shot.

With 3.2 seconds remaining, Kate Kerrigan inbounded to Fountain, who drilled the game-winner after coming off a screen, her fourth 3-pointer of the night. 

"The play was designed perfectly and they bit and we had a wide-open shot," Danko said. "We got the shot we were looking for and Todd and Mrs. Burger (who passed away last year) were on our side. Everything was aligned. We worked hard. We deserved to win that game."

Fountain led the Mustangs (3-4) with 16 points while Kerrigan chipped in with 14. Jamera Fountain and Brielle Lanese  each added 11 for Warde. Kerrigan was the tournament MVP and Jamera Fountain was named to the all-tournament team.

"It was a great shot by (Tiara Fountain) and I knew we had the stamina and the ability to pull through," Kerrigan said.

After falling behind 23-18 midway through the second quarter, the Mustangs ended the half with a 11-3 run to take a 29-26 lead at the intermission.

Warde appeared to take control in the third quarter as Tiara Fountain's three 3-pointers helped the Mustangs build their cushion to 45-37 after the third period.

But the Falcons went cold in the fourth, allowing the Bobcats (1-5) to climb back into the contest.

Julia Depoi drilled a 3-pointer to put Brookfield ahead 51-49 with 37 seconds left. After a Warde turnover, Pauline Harron had a chance to put away the contest, but made only 1-of-2 from the line with 15.8 seconds left.

After Warde called a timeout with 7.7 left, Brookfield fouled with 3.2 seconds remaining - sound strategy since the Bobcats had a foul to give, but they forgot to guard Tiarra Fountain.

"It was a heart-breaker," Brookfield interim coach Lisa Schang said. "It was our game."

Prior to the start of the tournament, Brookfield coach Tom Marks resigned for personal reasons. Schang, Brookfield's middle school coach, took over but she is not sure of her job status. Given the circumstances, the Bobcats acquitted themselves rather well.

Dominique Adams had 15 points to pace Brookfield and Pauline Reelick added 14. Depoi scored 12 before fouling out in the second overtime.

"I thought the girls played phenomenal," Schang added. "I think they left everything out here on the court and I couldn't ask for anything more. The record was 0-4, but they weren't an 0-4 team. It was just trying to get the team to gel together."

Brookfield had a chance to win at the end of the first overtime, but Depoi's runner from the foul line hit off the rim as time expired.

The Mustangs finally put away the game after Depoi fouled out, building their lead to 67-56 on Lanese's free throw with 19 seconds left.

Danko hopes the dramatic win can serve as a spark for the Mustangs heading into the new year. They have won two straight and three of four after an 0-3 start.

"I proud to represent Todd Burger and what he means to Fairfield and the community, so it's just a special win," Danko said.  "But more importantly, these kids needed that tonight."