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The
looks on the faces of the Versailles team says it all as the Tigers
suffered a 47-44 sectional
final loss to Anna Saturday at Tipp City
High School. CNO Photos by Dylan Knoop
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V-Lady Tigers lose classic battle
Great game marred by ugly scene
By George Starks
TIPP CITY- When Versailles beat Arcanum Wednesday for the right to play
for a sectional title against Anna, one thing was agreed on.
It was a shame that someone had to lose.
When the second seed Anna Rockets and the third seed, Versailles Tigers
squared off Saturday at Pat Wampler Gymnasium at Tipp City High School;
it was a game that had the entire atmosphere that a title game should
have,
Through three quarters and six minutes and twenty-three seconds, the
Tigers held a lead over the Rockets.
With 1:37 remaining in the game, Anna’s Natalie Billing hit two crucial
free throws that would give Anna its only lead of the game at 44-42.
It would be a lead the Rockets would be able to protect as Anna moved
on to play in the district title game, posting a 47-44 victory over the
Tigers.
“This was a tough one to lose,” said Versailles coach Jackie
Stonebreaker. “The girls are pretty upset about it. They felt it all
game and to lose it in the last minute or so is tough. It was a
well-played game and I think both teams played well today.”
Since the tournament draw, the Tigers had dedicated one hour of
practice in preparation of playing the Rockets.
“All this week we have talked about the fact that we could beat this
team,” said Stonebreaker.
The Tigers jumped out to the early 4-2 lead and started to build on it,
leading 14-10 with eight minutes in the books.
Versailles gave up the first bucket of the second quarter when Anna
junior Rachel Noffsinger pulled down an offensive rebound, getting the
put back and closing to a 14-12 count.
Versailles would charge out to a 20-12 lead with 4:58 remaining in the
half.
In classic form, the Rockets would take off from their launch pad, and
end up playing the Tigers even, as Versailles would maintain a four
point advantage at the half, 25-19.
The bugaboo for the Tigers came at the charity stripe as Versailles hit
10 of 16 but missed a lot of those shots in the middle of the fourth
quarter.
“It all came down to missed free throws in the middle of the fourth
quarter,” the Versailles coach said. “We couldn’t hit some and they hit
theirs early.”
By the end of the third quarter, the Rockets had trimmed the four point
deficit to a point at 36-35.
Versailles would hold several leads in the final eight minutes of three
points with the last of those three point leads coming at 42-39 with
2:75 remaining.
Twenty seconds later, Anna senior Erica Huber would drain a three,
getting the Rockets even at 42-42.
From that point on, the Tigers backs would be against the wall and
Versailles would be forced to foul.
Versailles would foul repeatedly but with six seconds remaining and the
Tigers down 45-44, the last called foul would be blown in the form of
an intentional foul and Huber would be called upon to do her duty for
her team.
Huber would hit both shots, giving the Rockets the three point winning
edge.
As the Rockets would emerge a 47-44 winner, the team and the school
suffered as Anna coach Jack Billing charged after Stonebreaker in a bit
of a rage over the rough style of play as Billing thought Amanda Winner
should have been hit with an intentional foul.
“There was no intentional foul there. Amanda didn’t mean to do anything
wrong,” said Stonebreaker. “For us to go out the way we did, I’m proud
of the girls. We went for the steal and the ball so it is what it is
and hopefully, we’ll remember this game for a long time.”
Versailles ends it season 21-4 overall and sectional runner-up.
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Versailles
junior Brooke Pothast fights for a loose ball with an Anna player in
the
second quarter of their sectional game.
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Amanda
Winner fights for a Rebound in the first quarter Saturday against Anna.
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