Page 21 - 2010-11 Girls Basketball State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

AUSTIN BESTS BISHOP LUERS IN OT FOR FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Chelsea Jones scored 4 of her game-high 23 points in Luers’ attempt to win their state-record sixth state champi-
a back-and-forth overtime session to lead the No. 2 Austin onship.
Lady Eagles to their first girls basketball state champion- It was Bishop Luers that jumped out to an early 14-10
ship, a 70-65 victory over Fort Wayne Bishop Luers in the advantage, led by six first-quarter points from sophomore
Class 2A title game. forward Brooke Ridley, but the Lady Eagles battled back to
Jones was part of a balanced attack that saw three take a 29-26 halftime lead.
players score in double figures, including 19 points from Although Austin stretched its lead to nine points by
senior guard Katy McIntosh and 18 from senior forward the beginning of the fourth quarter, Luers fought back with
Michelle Goodin. The trio helped Austin fend off Fort Wayne strong play both inside and out. Four straight baskets by
center Miracle Woods and two threes from Hilary Watts
helped the Lady Knights overcome the deficit to take a
one-point lead with just over a minute to play in regulation.
After two free throws from Brierra Young, Austin got the ball
in the hands of their leading scorer, and McIntosh didn’t
disappoint. The senior drove hard to the basket, made the
runner, and got fouled. Her converted free throw sent the
game to overtime, tied at 59-59.
The extra session saw both teams start out hot, but
Jones and McIntosh went a combined 3-for-3 from the field
to give the Lady Eagles and head coach Jared Petersen the
push they needed to finish their state championship season
with a 26-2 record.
For Fort Wayne Luers, the contest marked just the
second time the team has lost in seven state finals appear-
ances; Denny Renier’s team finishes the year with an 18-8
record. Woods led the Lady Knights with 17 points and
12 rebounds, while Young finished with 12 points and 4
assists.

CANTERBURY EDGES RIVET IN OT FOR THIRD STRAIGHT TITLE
Canterbury’s Tabitha Gerardot scored 16 of her 27 15 on 5-of-10 shooting from behind the 3-point arc. The
points in the fourth quarter, including 10-of-12 from the free Lady Patriots had their 26-game winning streak snapped in
throw line, to lead second-ranked Fort Wayne Canterbury the final game of the season and finished the year 26-1. For
to its third consecutive Class A state title with a 69-65 Scott Kreiger’s Lady Cavaliers, the win caps an 18-game
victory over No. 1 Vincennes Rivet. winning streak and put the wraps on a 25-2 campaign.
The Lady Patriots held Canterbury’s senior center off
the board and the glass for the entire first quarter, but were
unable to keep her out of the paint the rest of the day, and
Gerardot finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds to go
along with 8-of-13 shooting from the field. The contest was
a rematch of the 2009 state title game, won by Canterbury
in overtime, 72-66.
Vincennes Rivet came out of the gate strong, led in part
by 6 first-half points from junior sharpshooter Sara Young.
Senior guard Chelsea Meeks, the only starter on either
team who did not start last year’s title game, grabbed 6 first-
half rebounds to go with 5 points, and the Lady Patriots led
25-23 at the midpoint.
After the break, Canterbury senior Cassie Kreiger,
who was 0-for-5 from the field in the first half, scored the
first 6 points to give the Lady Cavaliers a quick lead, and
combined with Gerardot for 33 of Canterbury’s 46 second
half points. Kreiger finished the contest with 14 points.
Meeks, who tallied 18 points, was the high scorer for
Tim Young’s Vincennes Rivet team, and Sara Young added
IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! 21