Laura Hayward, buzzer beater

North's senior guard hit a really significant 3-pointer at the first-half horn that gave North a 33-21 lead at the break.

Those who have seen Hayward know this is nothing new. She's hit at least three 3-pointers at the horn in her career (at least, that's how many she remembers).

Friday's was an off-balance leaner from the right side of the arc that banked in.

"That definitely got us riled up," said Kayla Tetschlag of the shot. "Laura Hayward has a history of shots at the buzzer. That's exactly who we wanted to have the ball in that situation."

But did Hayward call "bank?"

"No, I didn't," she said with a grin.

Her penchant for hitting these types of shots is a combination of court sense, smarts and that "clutch" thing you just can't teach.

Oh, and then there's the games of "lightning" they play at North High during gym class. Lightning is a popular game in which players line up, with two basketballs. The object is for the second player to knock the player in front of him or her out by making a basket before he or she does.

Hayward and friends play it with a twist in gym class though: They play from half-court (rather than the usual free-throw line).

--Pete Barth