It was the kind of night Cassandra Conklin simply could do no wrong on the basketball court and it couldn't have come at a better time.
It came late last February with South Carroll traveling to Westminster and the county title on the line.
Throughout the season, the word was that the Cavaliers were the team to beat. Westminster guard Conklin obviously had heard.
The showdown would go into overtime before the Owls came away with a 63-59 win. Conklin scored two of the Owls' six overtime points and assisted on another basket. She finished with 19 points, eight assists and eight steals.
It was certainly the highlight of a very good season for Conklin, who earned second-team All-County honors as a junior after averaging nine points and six rebounds a game to go along with 80 assists and 53 steals on the season.
"I remember really being ready for that game. That was the team everyone said was going to win it. I'm nervous before every game, but everybody was talking about that one," Conklin said.
Now a senior, she'd like to have those kinds of nights on a regular basis to help the Owls defend their county crown and make a second straight region playoff appearance.
"Things are looking pretty good, we have most everyone back," she said. "In past years, it seemed to take some time before we were all playing well together. It's a lot different this year."
The numbers from the South Carroll game shows what Conklin brings to the Owls' lineup. At 5 feet 9, she has quick hands and feet, loves to play defense and comes to each game with a workman-like approach. Westminster coach Bernie Koontz says she just goes about her business and gets results.
"Not one thing really sticks out except her versatility. She's just able to do everything," he said. "She really excels when other teams put pressure on us. She relieves the pressure as an off-guard, able to handle the ball as well as our point guards last year. She likes the up-tempo game and makes good decisions in transition. She can play a little inside and also can shoot from three-point range."
Conklin, who runs track in the spring, saw limited playing time late in her sophomore season before becoming a starter last year. Her confidence grew as the season progressed. "I felt more and more comfortable as the season went on
and the South Carroll game was kind of the climax," she said.
The Owls have earned a degree of respect with last year's county title, but South Carroll again will be right near the top. Conklin is ready for the challenge.
"Last year, no one expected us to go as far as we did," she said. "This year, we're looking to go farther."