Hounds Nip Foxes in Big Game Thriller

The Foxes, who led by as much as seven points in the second half, had taken a 26-24 lead on a driving layup by Kat F. ’16 with just under a minute to play. But Alex, who scored 13 points, was fouled in the act of shooting with 40 seconds remaining and made the first free throw to pull the Hounds within one point at 26-25.

Alex missed the second shot but the Hounds got the rebound and put up four consecutive close-in shots -- none of which went in --  before the ball went out of bounds off a Hounds’ player. On the ensuing in-bounds play by the Foxes, Emma stole the ball and fed Alex who put in a bank shot with five seconds left for the slim margin of victory.

Kat finished with 12 points and Fox Captain Caroline H. had eight to lead the Foxes.

“I don’t really feel we lost that game,” said Fox Alicia H. ’14, who played a strong defensive game. “I know someone has to win but I feel the two teams were very evenly matched and the outcome could have gone either way.”

“What a game,” said Head of School Mary Louise Leipheimer, “I am so proud of both teams.” A Hound since she arrived at Foxcroft 40+ years ago, Leipheimer is retiring at the end of the year.

“We just wanted Mary Lou to go out a winner,” smiled one Fox fan.

It was the 12th time in the history of Big Game that the outcome was decided by only one point, but the first time since 2001. The game has been contested every year since 1914 – the year the School opened – and has been decided by three points or less on 25 occasions, a very high percentage  -- which may be indicative of the passion and fervor with which the ancient rivalry is played.

The victory also gave the Hounds a sweep of the weekend as Puppy Team edged the Cubs, 4-2, and the Stern Team won 7-4  in won Little and Middle games, respectively, on Friday. 

Go Foxes! Go Hounds!