Friday, March 16, 2001
McNicholas takes out defending champ
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ashley Clark
(AP photo)
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COLUMBUS — Lynn Oberschmidt could have looked at the scoreboard, but the McNicholas junior forward resisted the temptation.
Instead, Oberschmidt stepped to the foul line for the one-and-one bonus with 12.3 seconds remaining and sank both throws, finishing off the Rockets' 48-44 victory over Columbus Bishop Hartley in the Division II state semifinals Thursday.
McNicholas meets Canfield for the state championship Saturday (2p.m.) at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
“When the referee handed me the ball and the crowd started yelling, I tried to block everything out,” Oberschmidt said. “I didn't know the score or how much time was left. I wasn't nervous and tried to concentrate.”
Kendra Hornschemeier
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
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Oberschmidt was fouled bringing the ball up the court against the Hartley press. The Rockets held a 44-42 advantage over the defending state champion Hawks, who had erased a 31-22 lead the Rockets built in the third quarter.
Hartley rallied behind Mary Gruber and Lyndsey Greer, who both took the ball to the basket, drawing fouls and going to the free throw line.
That got Rockets center Ashley Clark and point guard Kendra Hornschemeier in foul trouble, with four each, and put the Hawks in the double bonus during the fourth quarter.
But Hartley failed to take advantage of the Rockets' foul problems and didn't shoot a free throw during the final quarter.
“We wanted to go at Ashley Clark to get her out of the game,” Hartley coach Jessica Smith said. “We got the ball inside several times and had good shots, but no fouls were called.”
Three times during the final four minutes, the Hawks drew within two points, but each time Hornschemeier, Oberschmidt and Betsey Clark sank free throws to thwart the rally.
Ashley Clark stole the limelight in the first half, scoring 18 points and pulling off nine rebounds. That led the Rockets to a 27-21 halftime advantage.
“It's not too often that we miss 41 shots,” Smith said. “But give McNicholas credit. Their guards are extremely quick on the out side, and they have some big girls on the inside who played well.”
Ashley Clark finished with a game-high 20 points. Betsey Clark finished with 10, Oberschmidt with eight and Hornschemeier with six.
BISHOP HARTLEY (44) — Boyer 3-7 4-5 10, Tucker 0-1 0-0 0, Gruber 5-19 4-4 16, Feyes 2-10 2-4 7, Greer 4-10 2-2 10, Robinson 0-3 0-0 0, Shannon 0-2 0-0 0, Phillips 0-1 0-0 0, Hinterschied 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 14-55 13-18 44.
MCNICHOLAS (48) — Oberschmidt 3-7 2-2 8, K. Breving 2-9 0-0 4, A. Clark 9-12 2-4 20, Hornschemeier 3-6 0-1 6, B. Clark 2-6 5-6 10, Flammer 0-4 0-0 0, Branson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 19-45 9-13 48.
Bishop Hartley ....... 6 14 10 14—44
McNicholas ....... 15 12 6 15—48
3-pointers: H (3-10) Gruber 2, Feyes. M (1-5) B. Clark. Rebounds: H 38 (Boyer 7). M (31) A. Clark 11). Assists: H 2. M 13 (Hornschemeier 4, B. Clark 3). Turnovers: H 11, M 2. Blocks: H 0, M 4 (A. Clark 2). Steals: H 2. M 3 (A. Clark 2). Records: McNicholas 21-6, Hartley 19-8. Officials: Lee Barlow, Clayton Stump, Kermit Jones.
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