Wednesday, March 07, 2001
McNick turns tables on Madison
Third-quarter run keys Rockets' 63-59 victory
By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor
VANDALIA — Trotwood Madison thought a press was the key to winning its matchup with McNicholas in the Division II regional semifinals Tuesday night.
It was — for McNicholas.
The Rams' press helped kick start the Rockets into a third-quarter run that led to a 63-59 McNicholas win.
“We just finally got the momentum,” said McNicholas sophomore Betsey Clark, who scored a career-high 18 points to lead the Rockets. “When they put the press on us, that made us run. When they were in a zone, we weren't running that hard.”
“We handled the pressure well,” McNicholas coach Rob Heise said. “We're strong with the ball.”
The Rockets, the No.3 team in the Enquirer's Divisions II-IV coaches poll, next play Dayton Dunbar for the regional championship at 7:30p.m. Friday at Vandalia Butler High.
Trotwood Madison senior Tiffanie Guthrie, the Southwest District Player of the Year, needed a quarter to warm up. While the Rams were waiting, junior center Darla Finley was scoring six first-quarter points to spark Madison to a 13-11 lead. Guthrie scored seven of her game-high 21 points in the second quarter to help the Rams expand the lead to 29-21 by halftime.
The two teams traded baskets until McNicholas, which was 19-for-33 from the field in the second half, had a 16-1 run to wipe out the eight-point deficit and take a 43-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
Betsey Clark sparked the run with a 3-pointer from the right corner and Ashley Clark fueled it with six points.
“They had had their run,” said Betsey Clark, who also had five assists. "It was our turn.”
Ashley Clark recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds and Kim Breving added seven rebounds and six assists.
McNICHOLAS (63) — Flammer 1 0 2, Hornschemeier 4 0 9, B. Clark 7 2 18, A. Clark 7 0 14, J. Breving 1 0 2, Oberschmidt 4 0 8, K. Breving 5 0 10. Totals: 29 2 63.
TROTWOOD MADISON (59) — Liggins 5 1 13, Kelly 3 0 7, Guthrie 7 4 21, Pearson 3 0 6, Finley 2 7 11. Totals: 20 12 59.
McNicholas ....... 11 18 22 20—63
Trotwood Madison ....... 13 8 7 23—59
3-pointers: M — B. Clark 2, Hornschemeier. T — Liggins, Guthrie 3, Kelly. Records: M 19-6, T 18-6.
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McNick turns tables on Madison
