Shannon Gierl’s 3-pointer with 7.8 seconds to go lifted Annapolis Area Christian School to a 35-34 victory over two-time defending champion St. John’s Catholic Prep from Frederick for the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland C Conference title Saturday at RAC Arena.
After Eagles forward Lisa Fetter hit two free throws to tie the game at 32, St. John’s freshman center Annie Breen put the Vikings ahead 34-32 on a follow shot with 27 seconds left. Breen had just come off the bench to replace Christine Hagan when the veteran center fouled out.
As time ran down, the Vikings covered Eagles freshman guard Taylor Murray, who led her team with 15 points, and Murray couldn’t get a shot off. But she spotted Gierl at the top of the arc and fed her for the 20-footer.
The victory avenged the Eagles’ only conference loss, 58-55 to the Vikings on Jan. 25, and gave them their second title since 2007.
Gierl scored 10 for the Eagles (25-3), while Marion Jones led the Vikings (24-4) with 14 points.