Page 21 - 2009-10 Girls Basketball State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN WINS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP

Claire Freeman’s shot with :03 seconds remaining in
overtime gave top-ranked Heritage Christian a 60-58 win
over second-ranked Oak Hill for its fourth consecutive 2A
state title. The Eagles join Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (1999-
02) as the only teams in tournament history to win four
straight championships.
Heritage Christian head coach Rick Risinger also
became the first coach in state history to win four state titles
– in just his fourth year in charge of the program.
With the score tied at 58-58 with 1:36 to go, Heritage
Christian ran the clock down to :07 left before calling
timeout to set up the final play which ended up in Free-
man’s hands. Her running jumper that banked in proved the
game-winner and Oak Hill’s final heave fell short.
Courtney Moses led all scorers with 21 points and
Pickering added 20. Both finished with seven rebounds.
Heritage Christian (26-1) was making its fifth trip to the
state finals in six years and it was the second year in a row
it defeated Oak Hill (27-2) for the title. Oak Hill was coached
by Todd Law.

CANTERBURY EDGES RIVET IN OT FOR SECOND STRAIGHT TITLE
Canterbury’s Megan Pedro stepped up big in overtime cennes Rivet, the smallest school to ever play in the girls
to help No. 7 Fort Wayne Canterbury to its second consecu- basketball state finals with 92 students and making its first
tive Class A state title with a 72-66 victory over top-ranked appearance, finished 23-2. The Patriots were coached by
Vincennes Rivet. Tim Young.
Pedro, who ended with 15, scored seven of the Cava-
liers 10 points in the extra session picking up for the loss
of star player Tabitha Gerardot who fouled out of the game
with 25 seconds remaining in regulation. It was the first
championship game decided beyond regulation since 2000.
Canterbury converted 2-of-3 field goals and 5-of-6 from
the free throw line in overtime, while Rivet only connected
on one of its six attempts from the field during that time.
After Tabithat Gerardot’s fifth foul, Mallory Niehaus’ two
free throws gave Rivet a four point lead at 61-57 with :25
seconds remaining before Becky Pedro came on. On an
in-bounds play under the basket, Pedro passed the ball off
the back of a Rivet defender, scooped it up and scored and
was fouled on the play. She hit the free throw to draw the
Cavaliers within one at 61-60 with :13 seconds left. Next,
Rivet’s Sara Young was sent to the foul line and made the
second of two free throws for a two point advantage. Pedro
then hit a jumper with :04 seconds left to tie the game and
force overtime.
Gerardot and Cassie Kreiger led Canterbury with 18
points each while Becky Pedro finished with 15. Gerardot
matched her Class A state championship game record set
last year with 17 rebounds.
It was the 17th straight victory for Canterbury and
coach Scott Kreiger. The Cavaliers finished 23-4. Vin-

IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport! 21

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