The senior season of Batavia guard Brooke Carlson has been marked by a series of major accomplishments, the latest of which was eclipsing 2,000 career points earlier this week.
There was one major hurdle, though, that Carlson wanted to complete before leaving for Colorado State — halt rival Geneva’s 11-game winning streak against the Bulldogs.
“One hundred percent, that was the one thing,” Carlson said, beaming afterward. “I was like, ‘If we don’t ever do this, that’s a problem,’ but we got it done.
“This is the biggest accomplishment, especially for the team.”
It took every one of Carlson’s game-high 28 points Friday night, but Batavia outlasted Geneva for a 54-53 DuKane Conference victory in overtime to finally get over that hump.
Hallie Crane added 11 points off the bench for Batavia (21-5, 10-1).
Leah Palmer led Geneva (16-8, 9-2) with 18 points before fouling out with 3:07 left in regulation. Keira McCann contributed 10 points off the bench.
Throughout Carlson’s career, the Bulldogs had gone toe-to-toe with Geneva but couldn’t break through. She could tell things were different early on Friday.
“It’s amazing,” Carlson said. “For some reason, whenever we play them, we’re not mentally in it, but we were the whole entire game. It really showed on everybody’s defensive effort.”
Geneva started the game up 11-2, but Batavia answered with an 18-0 run to take a 20-11 lead. Carlson scored 10 points in that span.
Although Carlson got into foul trouble and sat much of the third quarter, the Bulldogs were able hang on and hold Geneva to a 33-27 lead entering the fourth.
“They were there for me,” Carlson said of her teammates. “I needed to be there for them. It was amazing to see how they were able to keep it up and keep going.”
Carlson scored 10 points in the fourth to pull Batavia back into the game and force OT.
“It’s just my mindset,” Carlson said. “I don’t focus on the past. I’m just going to the present. I really just played for this team because I love all of them.
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“It’s amazing to see us come out on top in this game.”
Palmer, Geneva’s star player, fouled out shortly after giving the Vikings a 43-37 lead with a 3-pointer. Geneva still held on for OT without her.
“You never want your best kid to go down with foul trouble that early, but in those moments, it’s next person up,” Geneva assistant coach Lindsey Roscoe said. “That’s been our motto this year. We have a lot of kids who can play.
“If you’re having a rough night, it’s the next kid up.”
Batavia coach Kevin Jensen, meanwhile, was effusive in his praise of Palmer.
“Leah has been amazing this year — just her sheer will,” Jensen said. “I think there were a lot of people who doubted what she could do individually without some of the other players who graduated.
“She’s making them all quiet because she’s a monster.”
Jensen saw his own star player be recognized by the big crowd for her latest accomplishment.
“She should be very proud of what she’s accomplished, but she’s a humble kid,” Jensen said of Carlson. “She doesn’t talk about any of that. She would just as soon we not say a word.
“I said, ‘You have to understand how big a deal this is and how rare this is.'”
Carlson soaked up the adulation before the game, then celebrated the big win after.
“It’s amazing to see how much support I have from the whole entire community,” Carlson said. “It’s really cool to see all my hard work pay off. I love it.
“I couldn’t do it without any of my teammates. It’s really amazing to play with them.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.