|
|
Versailles
sophomore Christa Putoff battle with Maria Daulton (3) and
Kaylin Fredrick (13) of West
Liberty Salem Thursday in opening round
action of the girls basketball sectional. Versailles rolled
over the
WLS Tigers, 52-22 to advance to the second round to take on Arcanum.
The Trojans
come in at 10-12 after losing to Greenon on Tuesday. CNO
photos by George Starks
|
|
Versailles
romps over West Liberty Salem
Tigers advance to
play Arcanum
By George Starks
TIPP CITY- It was just a year ago when Versailles rolled in to Tipp
City High School to take on Northridge in a game that many believed
would be a cake walk for the Tigers.
That game ended in an embarrassing loss for Versailles and an early
first round exit from the OHSAA state basketball tournament.
Thursday, Versailles made the trip back to Tipp City to take on West
Liberty Salem (WLS) in the sectional opener for the two schools.
Pat Wampler Gymnasium was a little kinder to the Tigers in 2013 as
Versailles rolled over WLS, pounding the other Tiger team, 52-22.
Versailles set the tone early as the Tigers post player, Katie Heckman
was able to weave her magic, scoring on three offensive rebounds and
helping to Tigers to a 13-2 first quarter lead.
A lead Versailles would never relinquish.
“We had to work against the zone and they (WLS) were a little bit
smaller than us,” said Versailles coach Jacki Stonebraker. “We made
sure we had our inside-outside going. Our highest percentage shots were
in the paint and Katie was doing a nice job finishing those shots on
the inside. Once they closed that then our outside shooters had the
green light to shoot all night.”
Posting a 30 point victory, Versailles was in control the full 32
minutes of play.
With the scoreboard reflecting the 30 point game, Versailles also
controlled the second biggest aspect of the game, rebounding.
Versailles out rebounded WLS, 31-13 and pulled down eight offensive
rebounds, with four of those going to Heckman, with three of them being
converted into points.
“I thought we did a great job rebounding the ball,” said Stonebraker.
With the Tigers meeting up with Arcanum next Wednesday in the second
round, Stonebraker still sees a place for some improvement.
“I think our defensive transition area needs some work,” said
Stonebraker. “There were a couple of times when they (WLS) beat us down
the floor and we can’t have that. We need to make sure our defensive
transition is crisp and ready to go.”
Earlier in the season, Versailles and Arcanum locked horns (12-8) and
the Tigers dominated in a 62-13 victory.
Since that loss, Arcanum (10-12) has been playing some of its best ball
of the season despite losing the season ending game at Greenon, 42-27.
“They are playing much better,” said Stonebraker. “They have some
freshmen playing and I don’t think they were playing for them at the
beginning of the year like they are now. They do a nice job so we are
going to have to look at our scouting reports and watch the game film
and be ready to go next Wednesday.”
Arcanum and Versailles will tip at 7:30.
|
|
V-Tiger junior
Amanda Winner applies the defense as West Liberty
Salem's
Maria Daulton looks for a lane to drive in and attempt to score.
|
|
|
|
