Page 25 - 2008-09 Girls Basketball State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

EAGLES SOAR, AGAIN, TO THIRD STRAIGHT TITLE

The top-ranked Heritage Christian Eagles handed the fourth fouls in the third quarter sending her to the bench
Oak Hill Golden Eagles their only defeat of the season, with 4:58 remaining and it took away the Golden Eagles
53-31, to capture their third straight Class 2A title. Heritage inside presence. Heritage Christian outscored Oak Hill, 9-2,
Christian was making its fourth trip to the finals in five years the remainder of the quarter and were never threatened
while Oak Hill again.
was making its Heritage Christian, coached by third year leader Rick
very first appear- Risinger, was led by freshman Liz Stratman and junior Kelly
ance. Faris who each recorded a double-double. Faris finished
Heritage with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Stratman ended with
Christian led only 10 points and 10 boards. Freeman finished with nine points.
20-15 at the half Oak Hill was led by junior Kristen Hicks with eight
but outscored points and eight rebounds. Senior Heather Hicks added
Oak Hill, 17-5, in seven points and Pickering contributed eight rebounds. Oak
the third quarter, Hill was held to a season-low 31 points.
behind junior The Golden Eagles, led by fifth year coach Todd Law,
Claire Freeman’s finished the season 26-1 and had compiled a two-year
eight points, record of 50-3.
to take a com- Heritage Christian ended the season 27-1, including
manding 37-20 wins over 3A finalist Bishop Chatard and 4A finalist Carmel
lead. Oak Hill’s earlier this season.
6-4 sophomore Heritage Christian tied the Class 2A state finals record
center Ashley for most team assists in a game (17) and Faris’ seven as-
Pickering picked sists was an individual record.
up her third and

FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY WINS FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
A strong second half performance by Fort Wayne Can- 17 rebounds to break the Class A state finals rebounding
terbury led the Cavaliers past University, 36-32, to claim record by two. Aubrey Holle added six points and three
the Class A state championship, the school’s first in a girls steals, freshman Becky Pedro also chipped in with six
sport. points, six rebounds, and three steals. Kreiger tallied all
Both teams displayed an up-tempo style of play in three of her points from the line and also had three steals.
the first quarter, as University jumped to a 6-0 lead early Bill Thornburgh, in his fifth year at the helm for Univer-
in the game. The Trailblazers led by as many as seven sity, led his team to a final record of 20-7. Walker led the
before Canterbury cut the lead to three to end the first way with 10 points and six rebounds, sophomore guard Bria
quarter at 9-6. A steal and fast break lay up by senior guard Sneed added nine points and four steals, and junior Katie
Aubrey Holle gave Canterbury their first lead with 4:23 Adlam collected six points, nine boards, and three steals.
left in the second quarter. University stole the momentum
back though and took a 16-15 lead into the locker room at
halftime.
Trailing 30-25 at the end of the third quarter, University
managed to hold Canterbury scoreless until 2:18 remained
in the game but still trailed 31-29. With :56 remaining,
Canterbury’s Cassie Kreiger hit a free throw, her second
rimmed out but was rebounded by fellow sophomore
forward Tabitha Gerardot who put it back up to extend
the lead 34-29. A quick three pointer by University junior
Ieysha Walker pulled the Trailblazers within two at 34-32,
but Gerardot and Kreiger both hit a free throw to seal the
game in the final seconds.
Canterbury, led by 10th year head coach Scott Kreiger,
finished the season 21-5, winning their final 14 games.
Gerardot led all scorers with 16 points, while she grabbed
IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport! 21

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