“It’s like we won the state championship,” Waters said.
Von Steuben’s fans in its tiny gym felt the same way as they stormed the court after a 39-38 victory over Marshall on Waters’ layup with eight seconds left. The victory was of historic proportions: Von Steuben never had beaten the perennial Public League power in girls basketball.
But Marshall, ranked No. 3 in the preseason, did not go down easily. The Commandos (3-4) held a 38-37 lead but gave the Panthers and opening by committing a turnover with 30 seconds left.
Waters wasn’t the first option for the go-ahead shot. Von Steuben was supposed to get the ball to LaTerria Taylor. But Marshall had her covered, so Morghan Brandon passed the ball to Waters.
She attacked the basket and scored the game-winner on a layup.
Marshall failed to get a shot off in the final seconds and the Panthers (4-1–its lone loss to No. 1 Young) had what coach Sha Hopson termed the most important girls basketball victory in the school’s history.
Von Steuben had to overcome its troubles at the foul line (nine of 26) and Marshall’s Terranika Reynolds, who had 15 first-half points and 19 for the game. Marshall led 20-14 at the half
Taylor led Von Steuben with nine points, Kiaherra Powell added eight and Waters seven.