Friday, March 17, 2000
Badin's title hopes depend on defense
Rams' semifinal foe tallest they've faced
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton Badin girls basketball coach Dan Purcell clearly defined his expectations before the season started.
“The girls know that if they don't play defense, they don't play,” Purcell said. “They understand this from day one and there's no exceptions.”
Strong defense carried the Rams to the 1998 Division II state championship and into this year's state semifinals for the second time in three years.
Today at Ohio State's Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Badin plays Philo in the Division II semifinals. The winner advances to Saturday's championship game.
“Philo will be the biggest team we've played this season,” Purcell said. “They're up-tempo and use a motion offense.”
Purcell expects the Electrics to drop back in a zone because of their superior size and lack of speed and quickness.
“The way we've been shooting, every team we've played lately has played zone,” Purcell said. “In practice, we shoot well,but in games we've had a hard time scoring.”
Point guard Heather Harris, a 6-foot-1 senior and the Southeast District Player of the Year, is the heart of the Electrics, averaging 20 points and five assists.
Erin Miller, a 5-11 senior who averages six points, handles the other forward position with 6-1 senior Ashley Norman (14 ppg and 10 rpg) at center.
Badin is led by senior point guard Kerri Fiehrer, the Rams' only player in double figures at 12.7 points a game. She also averages six assists.
Senior center Caitlin Wolf (8.9 ppg) and junior forward Cydney Overtonb (6.8 ppg) are Badin's key inside players with guard E.B. Bennett (3.6 ppg) and Amy Morner (4.1 ppg) the other starters.
Since Mount Notre Dame scored 73 points against Badin Jan.10, the Rams' defense has held each opponent to 45 points or less.
“The day after the Mount Notre Dame game, we had the 73-46 score posted on the gym scoreboard when the girls arrived for practice,” Purcell said.
Purcell delayed coming into the gym to start practice for 20 min utes. He then put the players through rigorous defensive drills.
“The girls understood and got the message,” Badin said. “They don't want to go through any more practices like that one.”
“The players understand their roles,” Purcell said. “They know what team concept means and know what is expected of them.”
Playing in the state semifinals didn't come as a surprise to Purcell, though the Rams lost three starters and their top substitute to graduation.
“Although we've won 22 games this season, it's been disappointing because we're only winning by four-to-six points when we should be beating some teams by 15. I'm still waiting for this offense to break loose.”
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