The Hawk House was rocking for Tuesday’s, Feb. 26, semifinal matchup between Murrieta Valley and Redondo Union. Both teams came into the game unchallenged in the playoffs, with all wins by double digits. The Nighthawks and Sea Hawks needed four quarters and then some to decide this one.

The first quarter really set the tone for the game. Murrieta Valley stuck to their identity of ball movement and solid defense to get the job done; while Redondo’s approach was a high-low game with senior guard Taylor Smith and senior forward Inara Nyingifa. The precise passing for the Nighthawks led to baskets by every starter in the first quarter.

After the first quarter it was clear that Inara Nyingifa of Redondo was trying to take the game over down low. The six-foot senior had more than half of the team’s first half points, finishing the game with 31 total points.

"Number 55 is a good player, (Inara Nyingifa) we tried everything: we sandwiched her and did different presses just to keep the ball out of her hands," Murrieta Valley head coach Scott Richards, Jr. explained after the game.

Heading into the fourth quarter the Sea Hawks clung to a 36-32 to lead. Karen Wolf converted on an old fashioned three-point play to put Murrieta Valley up by one with two minutes to go. Nyingifa scored another basket with 1:19 left. Karen Wolf could only sink one of two free throws down the stretch and the Nighthawks had to settle for overtime all tied at 46.

The four-minute overtime period was even more exciting. The teams traded baskets and once again with 13 seconds to go it was knotted at 56. That’s when Murrieta Valley Senior Brynn Dahmer drained the game winning shot from 10 feet out.

"It was really exciting to hit that shot," Dahmer said after the 60-56 win with a big smile.

The Nighthawks are in for some more excitement as they travel to the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday to play for the 2013 CIF Southern Section Girls Basketball (Division 2A) Championship. Tip off is scheduled for 3:30 PST.