Sunday, March 18, 2001
Eastern Brown suffers 1st loss, in state final
Regina, injury prove too much for Warriors
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Injured starter Jessi Ellis is helped onto the court to receiver her second-place medal.
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
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COLUMBUS — No one from Eastern Brown offered any excuses. But it's difficult to overlook an injury to starter Jessi Ellis and the effect it had on the players in a 49-37 loss to South Euclid Regina in the Division III state championship game at Ohio State's Schottenstein Center.
It was the first loss of the season for the Warriors (26-1).
With Eastern Brown leading 27-26 with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter, Ellis suffered a concussion while diving for a loose ball. After a 10-minute delay, Ellis was removed in a stretcher-chair and taken for examination.
“Jessi was out last year with an ACL injury, and it killed her sitting on the bench and watching,” junior guard Micah Harvey said. “She wanted so badly to win it this year, and then this happens.”
Ellis fights for rebound
(AP photo)
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After the injury to Ellis, the Warriors weren't the same. They scored only 10 points the rest of the way, and Regina (25-3) took advantage, going on a 10-1 run to start the fourth quarter to break open the game.
“The injury to Jessi could have broken our momentum,” Eastern Brown coach Richard Kiser said. “Jessi doesn't score a lot, but she rebounds and has been a big part of the team.”
Although the game was tied 31-31 after the third quarter, Regina turned it up a notch both on defense and offense to start the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run.
Regina's superior height advantage — it has five players 6-foot or taller — was also a factor in the outcome. The Royals dominated inside down the stretch.
Richelle Hauke
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
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Eastern Brown was forced to foul during the final three minutes, and Regina converted eight of 16 free throws to clinch the win. Eastern Brown managed only six points in the fourth quarter, including four by Harvey.
“Let's give a lot of credit to Eastern Brown,” Regina coach Patrick Diulus said. “They executed well, made some great plays, controlled the pace and made us play their game.”
The Warriors opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run on two 3-pointers by Brenna Morris and a field goal by Elizabeth Burrows for a 27-22 lead. Regina cut the deficit to 27-26, but then Ellis suffered the injury.
Regina is the ninth team in the history of the girls state tournament to repeat. Eastern Brown failed in its bid to become the 35th girls Ohio girls team to go undefeated.
REGINA (49) — Little 2-7 0-1 4, Spadafore 0-3 1-4 1, S. Williams 7-10 3-4 17, Burgess 2-11 2-4 6, Redd 2-4 5-8 9, E. Williams 1-1 0-0 2, Moore 4-9 2-2 10. Totals: 18-45 13-23 49.
EASTERN BROWN (37) — Fender 0-2 0-0 0, Koehler 0-1 0-0 0, Scott 0-2 0-0 0, Morris 3-11 0-0 8, Holton 0-3 0-2 0, Burrows 5-7 0-0 10, Harvey 3-12 1-2 9, Jodrey 2-7 1-2 5, R. Hauke 0-2 1-1 1, A. Hauke 1-1 0-0 2, Ellis 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 15-51 3-8 37.
Regina ....... 10 12 9 18—49
Eastern Brown ....... 12 7 12 6—37
3-pointers: E 4-12 (Harvey 2, Morris 2). R 0-6. Rebounds: E 29 (Burrows 5, Harvey 4, Jodrey 6). R 36 (S. Williams 11, Spadafore 6, Burgess 6). Assists: E 7 (Burrows 3, Harvey 2). R 13 (Burgess 8, Moore 4). Turnovers: E 17, R 20. Steals: E 10 (Harvey 5, Burrows 2). R 7 (S. Williams 4). Attendance: 5,853. Officials: Robert Juliano, Jr., Hal Clase, D. Edwin Oberlander. Records: Eastern Brown 26-1, Regina 25-3.
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Eastern Brown suffers 1st loss, in state final
