Wednesday, March 21, 2001
Brossart tips off in Sweet Sixteen
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
After a slow start, Bishop Brossart's girls basketball team found its rhythm and rolls into the Sweet Sixteen today on a 14-game winning streak.
The 10th Region champion Lady 'Stangs, led by three-time all-state guard Katie Schwegmann (26.2 points, 8.2 rebounds), have gone 22-2 since a 4-4 start. They play Seventh Region champion Louisville Dupont (24-6)
Manual at 1 p.m. today at Western Kentucky University's E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.
Manual is led by guard Chelsey Thompson and center Chandra Brown, both Kansas recruits. “We have an uphill battle to climb,” Brossart coach Ray Kues said.
• Probable lineups: Bishop Brossart — Katie Schwegmann, 5-foot-10 senior guard (26.2 points, 8.2 rebounds); Jessica Lloyd, 5-3 sophomore guard (4.7 points, 2.2 rebounds); Jenna Schultz, 5-6 junior guard (7.2, 2.8 rebounds); Stephanie Clark, 5-9 sophomore forward (8.3, 6.1); Carrie Clift, 5-8 senior forward (9.5, 7.1). Dupont Manual — Chelsey Thompson, 5-11 senior guard (12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3 assists); Morrisa Benberry, 5-8 senior guard (4.9 points); Liz Plass, 5-11 senior forward (11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 81 percent at free throw line); Sarah McKemie, 6-1 freshman forward (5.2 points, 3.7 rebounds); Chandra Brown, 6-3, senior center (7.5 points, 5.2 rebounds).
• Notable: The turning point in Brossart's season may have come Dec.23, when the Lady 'Stangs lost to Webster County 65-63 despite Schwegmann's 42 points.
“At one time, we were 4-4 and there were a lot of question marks,” Kues said.
Brossart has answered them all. Schwegmann is still the heart of the offense, but it was Clift who scored seven points in last three minutes of Brossart's 60-59 win over Estill County for the 10th Region title.
“Across the board, everybody has made some great contributions,” Kues said.
Manual is in its second straight state tournament (the Lady Crimsons reached the semifinals last year). Three players - senior guard Chelsey Thompson, senior center Chandra Brown and senior forward Liz Plass - will be playing at Division I schools next year.
Manual's obvious mission today is to at least make Schwegmann work for her points.
“We can't get caught up in covering her that we forget about the other assignments,” coach Mina Todd said.
Sweet Sixteen pairings
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Brossart tips off in Sweet Sixteen