Saturday, March 20, 1999
Jones may have dislocated kneecap
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
COLUMBUS — If Mason is to win the Division I state title and a national girls' basketball championship tonight, the Comets probably will have to do it without Beth Jones, a 5-foot-8 junior forward.
“Beth's kneecap popped out,” said Jones' mother, Barb. “We think it was dislocated.”
“I don't know what happened,” Jones said while departing St.John Arena in a wheelchair. “I just came down on it the wrong way.”
Her left knee heavily wrapped, a sobbing Jones was taken to nearby University Hospital for X-rays.
Jones was hurt while jumping to intercept a pass. A Toledo Central Catholic player appeared to bump Jones from behind, and Jones screamed in pain after hitting the floor.
Jones, who averages 11.5 points and five assists, scored five points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field. She also had two assists and two rebounds in 24 minutes.
“We'll have to keep our heads up and not think about it,” junior center Michelle Munoz said about the injury to Jones and tonight's rematch with Pickerington. “We can do it if everyone pulls together.”
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One of Mason's best shooters, Jones is usually the target of the opponent's defense.
It was Jones who came through with a team-high 17 points in Mason's 53-45 upset victory over Pickerington on Jan.18. That victory moved the Comets into the No.2 spot in the USA Today Super 25 poll, replacing Pickerington.
The Comets took over the No.1 spot after Copperas Cove lost in the semifinals of the Texas state tournament three weeks ago.
Although Pickerington used a 2-3 zone against Wadsworth, Lackey believes the Tigers will go with a man-to-man defense against the Comets.
“They know Jere' (Issenmann) can hit from the outside,” Lackey said. “It would surprise me if they played zone.”
Pickerington has a strong inside game but lacks good outside shooters. LaToya Turner, a 6-4 All-America center, controls the inside with help from Jennifer Harrison. The Tigers' guard play is suspect with Brianne Gray and Dionn McPhatter.
If Mason defeats Pickerington tonight, the Comets should be crowned national champions by USA Today. It would be the first national title for a Cincinnati girls' team in any sport.
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