In a perfect world, there would be no worries.

In sports, perfection does not exist.

So when the Tamaqua girls basketball team looked sunk and gasping for air, it found what all athletes aspire to: intestinal fortitude.

Blitzed early by rival North Schuylkill, the Blue Raiders leaned on junior Lauren Ligenza and received a timely lift from seniors Millie Black and Kendal Miller to rally for an impressive 46-43 overtime victory Friday night before a boisterous crowd that at times shook the girders.

The win keeps Tamaqua within reach of league leaders North Schuylkill and Schuylkill Haven, both 6-1, while the Raiders improved to 5-2 heading into a home game Monday against Schuylkill Haven.

The ability to rally after an ugly start was a credit to a team that refused to fold.

North Schuylkill, undersized but cat-quick, subdued Tamaqua early. Led by sharp-shooting Mya Conti and a hustling trio of Gianna Capone, Jadelin Stitzer and Addison Balicki, the Spartans jumped to a 12-4 lead after one quarter and stretched it to 15-4 early in the second.

But Tamaqua had not yet begun its journey.

Ligenza was outstanding, performing like an all-stater. She finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds, willing her team to victory. Black delivered key moments, especially in overtime, chasing down two crucial rebounds that helped seal the win. Miller struggled early from the arc before finding her groove, draining two huge 3-pointers at critical moments.

“We’re a very determined team,” Ligenza said as teammates and fans surrounded the 6-foot standout. “Oh my gosh, I was nervous, I just wanted to win.”

Tamaqua’s ball security nearly proved costly, though coach Erika Davis has come to expect it at times.

“Oh, that’s what they do,” Davis said, “but I’m proud of the way our girls responded in an ugly game… we came up with very big plays (late) in the game… you know our girls really wanted it.”

The Blue Raiders finally found their footing midway through the second quarter after Capone’s 3-pointer made it 15-4 with 7:51 left. Miller answered with a triple, Ligenza went coast-to-coast off a rebound, and after a Conti basket, Tamaqua responded again.

Ceanna Gromley hit two foul shots, Black banked in a shot, and Ligenza converted off a Mia Bamford assist to pull Tamaqua back into the game.

Turnovers again hurt Tamaqua to open the second half as North Schuylkill built a 27-19 lead. Stitzer and Contie sparked a six-point run that pushed the advantage to eight with 4:44 left in the third quarter.

Black stopped the momentum with a rebound bucket off a missed Ligenza free throw. Ligenza, Black and Bamford followed with baskets to close the gap to 32-27 entering the fourth quarter.

“We just got to keep working as a team, even though we make (turnovers),” Black said. “As a captain, I’ve got to keep my role and keep us together.”

North Schuylkill again struck early in the fourth, extending the lead to 35-27 on baskets by Stitzer and Capone.

Then Tamaqua surged.

Black scored, Ligenza powered in two tough baskets in the paint, Black converted a free throw and Bamford slipped inside for a basket that gave Tamaqua its first lead, 36-35, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

“We didn’t do what we (needed) to do on the defensive end,” North Schuylkill coach Rich Wetzel said. “I told (my players) adversity goes two-ways, either you face adversity head-on, and some days adversity will bite you.”

The lead was brief. Balicki assisted Stitzer for a basket that put the Spartans back in front, 38-36, with 3:05 remaining.

Davis said stops were crucial late in regulation and overtime.

Ligenza tied the game with two free throws with 2:22 left, then hit another with 52 seconds remaining to give Tamaqua a 41-38 lead. Conti answered with a game-tying 3-pointer to force overtime.

In the extra session, Miller drained a 3-pointer to put Tamaqua ahead for good. Black grabbed two more key rebounds and added a free throw, and Ligenza sealed the win with a free throw with three seconds remaining.

“I really wasn’t feeling it most of the night,” Miller said. “That was a big help for my team. All we want to do it win… this was so big for us.”

QUOTEABLE I ... “Maybe I should have pulled the (press off) and went straight up. But (Ligenza) did a good job going straight to the basket.” — Wetzel on defending Tamaqua.

QUOTEABLE II ... “We came up with some very big plays; our girls really wanted it, I’m very proud of them.” — Davis.

BY THE NUMBERS ... Tamaqua shot 17-for-38 after opening 2-for-12 in the first quarter, but committed 24 turnovers. North Schuylkill shot 18-for-68 with 17 turnovers. Ligenza posted a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Leah Black had 10 rebounds. Balicki led North Schuylkill with seven boards.

HEADACHE ... North Schuylkill’s quickness forced many of Tamaqua’s turnovers despite its lack of size.

NORTH SCHUYLKILL

Selgrade 0-0-0-0, Conti 7-2-2-18, Urbanowicz 0-0-0-0, Capone 3-1-2-8, Balicki 4-0-0-9, Stitzer 4-0-0-8, Degris 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 18-3-4-43.

TAMAQUA

Osenbach 0-0-0-0, Black 6-1-2-13, Ellington 0-0-0-0, Ligenza 7-6-14-20, Bamford 1-0-0-2, Miller 2-0-0-6, Black, L. 1-1-2-3, Gormley 0-2-2-2. TOTALS: 17-10-20-46.

N. Schuylkill 12 9 11 9 2 - 43

Tamaqua 4 14 9 14 5 - 46

Three-pointers: Tamaqua - Miller 2; North Schuylkill - Conti 2, Capone 1, Balicki 1.

Records: Tamaqua (10-3; 5-2); North Schuylkill (8-4; 6-1).