Thursday, March 16, 2000
Madeira girls in state semis
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
When the Madeira girls basketball team met in October to set goals for the 1999-2000 season, winning a state championship wasn't included.
“Our only team goal was to win the league (Cincinnati Hills League) championship,” senior forward Bess Krietemeyer said. “We set personal goals, but no one dreamed we would go to state.”
Madeira will make its first appearance in the Division III basketball final four at 9 tonight at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, meeting No. 2 (AP) South Euclid Regina.
In the other semifinal game (7 p.m.), Eastern Brown and No. 1 Bluffton, teams with identical 25-0 records, meet with the winners advancing to Saturday's state championship game.
“From what I've been told, Regina has three Division I players (Colleen Toetz, G'Ann Lauder and Keesha Allen),” Madeira coach Dave Schlensker said. “We didn't scout them but we have several tapes ”
Ranked No. 8 in the USA Today Super 25 National Poll, Regina's only loss in 26 games was to Cleveland East Tech, Mason's Division I semifinal opponent. The Royals beat three teams ranked in the Super 25.
The Royals' offensive strength is on the inside.
Toetz, a 5-8 senior forward, leads the way at 15.6 points per game with junior forward Ari Moore (13.9 ppg) and Lauder (13.5) also in double figures.
Sophomore Sarah Burgess (8.7 ppg) and senior Keesha Allen (7.1 apg) handle the guard positions and round out the starting lineup.
“They are big and physical and try to punch the ball inside,” Schlensker said. “The Louder girl takes up a lot of space and is very physical.”
Schlensker also noted that Regina is tough defensively.
“They apply a lot of pressure but not always full court,” Schlensker said. “They try to direct the player with the ball into the corner. They then trap and the other players rotate.”
The Royals are an explosive offensive team that averages 78.2 points a game while allowing opponents only 30.5.
“There's no way we want to get into a running game with them,” Schlensker said. “We'll have to play like we have against everyone else and control the tempo.”
Madeira's offense averages only 44.1 points a game with Krietemeyer the leading scorer at 9.7 points a game. The Amazons defense is the strength allowing 35.6 points.
The Amazons other starters are sophomore guard Amy Mackris (3.7 ppg), sophomore center Amanda Davis (9.1 ppg) and senior forwards Allison Shaw (4.3 ppg) and Ann Staubach (9.1 ppg).
“We practiced at NKU today (Tuesday) but they understand the size is nothing like we'll see in Columbus,” Schlensker said.
Staying out of foul trouble is another key for Madeira.
“Actually, most of our substitutes are inside players,” Schlensker said. “Our biggest concern is giving the guards a blow sometime during the game.”
Krietemeyer is confident the Amazons can beat Regina.
“Actually we scrimmaged against the boys because they're more up tempo,” Krietemeyer said. “We're excited and every player is confident and understands they must step it up a notch in this game.”
Schlensker made only one promise.
“You can count on us playing hard,” Schlensker said. “We've been playing with a lot of confidence and you never know. That's why they play the game.”
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