|
|
T-V
junior Allie Downing drives to the bucket against Arcanum Saturday
in the championship game
of the 28th annual Burkett Tournament. The
Lady Patriots topped Arcanum 42-36 and Downing was named
MVP of the
tournament. CNO Photos by Dylan Knoop
|
|
Patriots win
annual Bill Burkett
Downing named MVP
By George Starks
NEW MADISON- For the sixth consecutive year, the Tri-Village Lady
Patriots reigned supreme in the annual Bill Burkett Girls Basketball
Tournament.
It was the seventh time in eight years the Patriots took the title and
the 16th time in 28 seasons.
It was Franklin Monroe, led by Monica Heckman that took home the gold
in 2009.
Right from the opening tip, the Patriots knew they were in for a battle
but in the end, Tri-Village managed to squeak out a 42-36 championship
victory over Arcanum.
The fact that the Lady Trojans gave the home team fits came as no
surprise to Patriots coach Brad Gray.
“I’ve said all along that on paper, Arcanum was the team to beat in the
conference,” admitted Gray. “This was a big win even though we didn’t
play our best basketball. I thought our kids showed a lot of class and
every time they got within striking distance, we were able to hold them
off and that’s a sign of a good basketball team.”
Arcanum had the Pats on the ropes on more than one occasion and it all
started in the opening quarter.
The Trojans drew first blood with a trey and at that point, it was game
on.
At the end of the opening eight minutes, the Trojans on the strength of
a couple of timely shots and some staunch defense, held a slim 11-10
lead over the home team.
Arcanum carried that momentum over to the second quarter.
After Rachael Miller drained a trey to open the frame for TV, Alexis
Abner duplicated that feat 35 seconds later and the Trojans were back
up by a point.
Junior Stevie Johnting would put give Arcanum a three point bulge,
16-13, at the 6:29 mark of the half by hitting two from the charity
stripe.
The Pats would regain the lead at the 4:56 mark on a triple from senior
Shelby Dowler, 18-16 in favor of the Patriots.
Tri-Village would hold that lead the rest of the half and carry a 23-18
lead at the break.
It was at the 4:19 mark of the third that the Patriots would do the
unspeakable.
They would put the Trojans in the bonus having committed seven fouls.
“I don’t think we’ve ever put a team in the bonus that early in the
third quarter,” said Gray. “I looked up and couldn’t believe we had
seven fouls against us already. I thought we got caught up a little in
the emotional game. That surprised me a little. We’ve played in
atmospheres like this before but I though Arcanum played with a lot of
energy and their crowd was really into it and I thought it made our
kids play at a faster pace than what we’re used to. We found a way to
win and I’m not going to talk about the negatives. It was a great win
for us.”
Despite watching Arcanum make several runs to retake the lead, the
Patriots never trailed after taking the 18-16 lead in the second
quarter.
Even with the loss, Arcanum coach Matt Grote was pleased with his kid.
“They really played their tails off,” said Grote. “These kids work hard
in practice and knows what it takes to be successful. They came out and
really got after it, especially on defense.”
Now 2-0, the Patriots will host Mississinawa Valley Tuesday while the
Trojans, 1-1, will host Covington.
Cross County Conference play will begin for all teams Tuesday.
|
|
Arcanum junior Stevie Johnting hits for two of her game high 14 points
in
a losing effort for the Trojans.
|
|
The 2015 All-Tournament team from left to right- Rachael Miller, Danika
Mann and
Downing (TV), Johnting and Alexis Abner (ARC) and Brooke Neal
(ANS)
|
|
The 2015 Burkett Champions, Tri-Village.
|
|
|
|
