Then Toler simply launched it.
Swish.
Toler had just sank a halfcourt shot that gave Serra the lead for good and provided the necessary spark in a 52-43 victory over JSerra in the Southern California Regional Division IV semifinals Tuesday night at L.A. Southwest College
Toler said she was just trying to do her best Siera Thompson imitation, especially considering Serra coach McKinsey Hadley said Thompson has hit about 15 halfcourt shots this season.
"When they passed it in to me, I knew I had to make it," Toler said. "Siera always hits those shots. So I had to be Siera tonight."
Serra delivered 3-point daggers all night to advance to Saturday's Regional finals against Del Rey League rival St. Bernard at Colony High in Ontario at 2 p.m.
Though the Cavaliers finished with just five total 3-pointers, they all seemed to carry extra significance in a slug-it-out affair in which both teams conceded nothing in a game marked by fouls and disjointed play.
Or stellar defense.
Thompson drained three 3-pointers. Brooke Bayman dug in a dagger and twisted it with a backbreaking 3-pointer
And of course there was Toler and her halfcourt heave.
"The halfcourt shot started it, and Brooke's 3 finished it," Toler said.
At the end of Serra girls basketball practices, the Cavaliers launch halfcourt shots.
Perhaps it was an omen that Toler sank her last halfcourt shot at Monday's practice.
"Believe it or not, we do practice those," Hadley said. "Shooting any shot is just a matter of confidence. If you are confident, you are going to shoot a lot better."
Bayman caught the ball and never hesitated on her pivotal 3-pointer. Like Toler, she said she was just trying to emulate Thompson.
"I watch her at practice and I train with her, so I know I've got to make it. I was happy," said Bayman, who is called "Little Siera" because of her uncanny resemblance to Thompson.
Confidence is never a problem for Thompson, Serra's resident sharpshooter, who finished with 18 points.
Caila Hailey recorded 12 points, six rebounds and two jarring blocks, both in the closing minutes.
Toler finished with 11 points, four assists, four rebounds and four steals.
Tatiana Howard held her own inside against JSerra's impressive forwards Megan House and Courtney Vaccher and pulled down 14 rebounds.
"Today I think we were off individually, but we found a way to come through at the end," Thompson said. "They were packing it tightly in their zone, but we were finding the open people and making plays.
"And we got big shots from Drea and Brooke. I'm proud of both of them, but especially Brooke."
Serra beat JSerra for the fourth time in the past two seasons.
August Touchard led JSerra with 15 points and Coco Miller added nine points, but the two potent perimeter players combined for just two 3-pointers.
House added seven points but fouled out with 3:51 left in the game and JSerra trailing by just three points. Vaccher and Corinne Bogle each added six points.
But Serra had enough daggers to survive, which has been par for the course for the Cavaliers.
"We've hit a bunch of big shots all season, so we were ready for this," Hadley said.
Even the half-courters.