Friday, January 07, 2000
Madeira girls move into first in CHL
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Since Dave Schlensker took over the Madeira girls basketball program six years ago, the veteran coach has stressed fundamentals.
The Amazons relied on the basics Thursday to win a Cincinnati Hills League showdown with previously undefeated Indian Hill, 55-50.
Combining outstanding defense with excellent free throw shooting, the Amazons took over sole possession of first place in the CHL.
Bess Krietemeyer, a 5-foot-6 senior forward, was one of the key players for Madeira.
Besides limiting Indian Hill's Haley Warden to 15 points and six rebounds, Krietemeyer came through with a team-high 15 points, six in the fourth quarter, for the Amazons.
“We played man-to-man defense with Bess guarding Haley,” Schlensker said. “When Haley didn't have the ball, Bess wasn't to help out but to stick with her.”
Krietemeyer had held Warden to four points at halftime, and Warden scored only four in the fourth quarter when the Amazons pulled away.
“Last year, I guarded Haley, but she scored pretty many points,” Krietemeyer said. “Tonight I concentrated on defense, which always seems to help me on offense.”
Indian Hill coach Jon Perry wasn't happy with the play of the Braves, who hadn't had a game since Dec.20.
“(Haley) has seen this type of defense all season,” Perry said. “The layoff probably hurt us. They (Madeira) had two games in their (holiday) tournament and played well tonight.”
Free throw shooting was another factor in the outcome. Madeira converted 19 of 24, eight of 12 in the fourth quarter, while Indian Hill was 7-of-10 for the game.
“We knew that in order to beat them, we had to play a great game,” Schlensker said. “Warden is a nice player, and the key was holding her down.”
Using a deliberate offense and pressing defense, Madeira took a 12-5 lead after the first quarter. Senior Ann Staubach led a balanced attack with four points.
Indian Hill pulled even at 18-18 in the second quarter, but the Amazons scored the final six points before halftime, four by Krietemeyer, to take a 24-18 advantage into the locker room.
The game remained close in the third and fourth quarters, but Madeira refused to fold after Indian Hill took three-point leads on three occasions.
“They had several players we didn't expect to shoot well,” Perry said. “(Jenny) Phelan and (Allison) Shaw both scored some big points.”
The winner of the return matchup in three weeks could emerge as the CHL champion.
INDIAN HILL (50) — Cooper 3 0 6, Lightfield 1 0 2, Schmitt 1 0 2, Rogers 3 0 7, David 6 4 16, Warden 5 3 15, Ellis 1 0 2. Totals: 20 7-10 50.
MADEIRA (55) — Mackris 0 2 2, Staubach 2 9 13, Shaw 2 2 6, Krietemeyer 6 3 15, Phelan 4 1 9, Davis 4 0 8, Barnhart 0 2 2. Totals: 18 19-24 55.
Indian Hill ....... 5 13 17 15—50
Madeira ....... 12 12 10 21—55
3-pointers: I—Warden 2, Rogers. Records: M 9-1, 7-0 CHL; I 7-1 5-1 CHL.
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