Wednesday, March 08, 2000
Badin defense stymies Springboro 50-31
Rams meet CJ in region final
BY CAREY HOFFMAN
Enquirer contributor
VANDALIA — Badin's reputation for defensive excellence picked up another believer Tuesday.
“I give the credit to Badin. They took us out of the game, which is what they do so well,” Springboro girls basketball coach Rick Creager said in the wake of Badin's 50-31 Division II regional semifinal victory at Vandalia Butler.
Badin pressured Springboro incessantly, forcing 28 turnovers and holding the Panthers offense 30 points below its season average.
“They challenged us in today's paper,” Badin coach Dan Purcell said. “They said they weren't intimidated by us, so it became a battle of who would win, our defense or their offense.”
Badin held control for most of the game except one shaky stretch in the middle when it seemed Springboro might mount a serious charge.
Senior point guard Kerri Fiehrer provided a big offensive push early, scoring 16 of her career-best-tying 21 points in the game's first 10 minutes. Fiehrer had 10 of Badin's 12 points during a 12-0 run that gave the Rams a 26-9 lead early in the second quarter.
“Normally, I pass it more than I shoot it,” said Fiehrer, who averaged 13 points a game this year. “But I saw open gaps. My dad has been asking me why don't I shoot it more, so I figured, why not?”
Badin's offense, problematic at times this year, came to a sudden stop when the Rams went nearly eight minutes without a point, allowing Springboro to pull back to within 30-20 midway through the third quarter. But Badin junior guard Angela Vilkoski broke the drought with a bank shot from the lane, and Megan Collins added a 3-pointer, putting Badin safely back in control.
“We needed (Vilkoski's) basket. That was a big bucket to get us going,” Purcell said. “We had a couple shots go in and out. If (the lead) had gone below 10, I would've been concerned, but it seemed (Springboro) was exhausted. I don't think they were used to that much pressure.”
Sophomore Kelsey Sullivan had 14 points to lead Springboro, which made it to the regionals despite not having a senior on the roster. “We have an advantage a lot of people don't have in that every kid in that (locker) room is back,” Creager said.
Badin, the 1998 Ohio Division II champ, advances to meet defending Division II state champion Chaminade-Julienne, which beat Columbus Mifflin 50-41 in the first game Tuesday night. The regional final is at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Badin will be in its fifth straight regional final, having lost last year to CJ.
SPRINGBORO (31) — Graham 0 2 2, Sullivan 7 0 14, Wight 1 0 2, Ballard 1 5 7, Kees 2 1 6. Totals: 11 8 31.
BADIN (50) — Vilkoski 1 0 2, Fiehrer 7 7 21, Collins 1 0 3, Wallace 1 0 2, Shull 2 0 4, Overton 5 2 12, Wolf 3 2 8. Totals: 19 11 50.
Springboro ....... 9 7 6 9—31
Badin ....... 18 12 7 13—50
3-pointers: S - Kees; B - Collins. Records: S 21-4, B 21-4.
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