Saturday, March 04, 2000
Badin girls get defensive, win Division II district
BY JOHN SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
Defense was the key once again for the Hamilton Badin girls basketball team.
The Lady Rams beat Roger Bacon 37-35 in a Division II district championship game at Vandalia Butler Activity Center Friday night.
It was Badin's fifth consecutive district title and sixth straight victory over Roger Bacon. The Rams advanced to the Division II regional semifinals Tuesday against the winner of the Springboro-Dayton Dunbar game.
“It wasn't a pretty victory,” Badin coach Dan Purcell said. “Our defense once again came through. We are pretty much used to winning this way.”
Badin built a 26-20 lead after three quarters. The Rams maintained that lead most of the fourth quarter, with the defense largely responsible.
With Badin leading 31-28 but the momentum favoring Roger Bacon, Badin senior E.B. Bennett brought the ball upcourt and continued to the basket. Bennett beat several Spartan defenders on her way to alayup.
“That was a crucial basket. We come to expect big plays from our seniors,” Purcell said.
The Rams pushed the lead to 35-28 before Roger Bacon made a charge in the final 20 seconds. Bacon cut the lead to 35-32 on layups by Sarah Schaefer and Michelle Kelley.
Amy Morner sealed the outcome with two free throws with five seconds remaining.
“All week, we talked about the key to beating Badin is to be mentally tough,” Roger Bacon coach Tom Sunderman said. “We weren't mentally tough tonight. We turned the ball over 28 times and shot 9-of-19 from the foul line.”
BADIN (37) — Bennett 2 0 5, Fiehrer 5 3 13, Beckett 1 0 2, Shull 1 0 2, Morner 1 5 7, Overton 0 1 1, Wolf 2 3 7. Totals 12 12-22 37.
ROGER BACON (35) — Holt 1 1 3, Gutzwiller 1 0 2, Schaefer 0 1 1, Metz 1 3 5, Withers 3 1 9, Hazelbaker 3 1 7, Gendrew 3 2 8. Totals 12 9-19 35.
Badin ....... 13 9 4 11—37
Roger Bacon ....... 8 9 3 15—35
Three-pointers: RB-Withers 2. Records RB 14-9, Badin 19-4.
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