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| Friday September 03, 2010 | Sidney Daily News Online - 937-498-5939 |
| 3/11/2010 8:37:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| ANNA’S REBECCA Burch puts up an off-balance shot against Versailles’ Megan Campbell in Division III Regional semifinal action at Springfield Wednesday. The Lady Rockets lost in overtime 41-40.
SDN Photo/John Hemp |
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Anna falls in overtime
Versailles advances to regional championship with 41-40 victory
From staff reports
SPRINGFIELD - Versailles standout Megan Campbell hit a bucket with just five seconds remaining in the overtime to give the Lady Tigers a 41-40 victory over the Anna Lady Rockets in the Division III Regional semifinals Wednesday night.
The win advances Versailles to the regional championship on Saturday at 1:30 against unbeaten Madison for a berth in the state tournament.
Anna's season ends at 21-4.
Campbell, averaging 16 points per game, was held scoreless by the Lady Rockets the entire first half, but came back with 17 over the final two periods and the overtime.
"I thought we played as well against Campbell as we could, and Maria Wells did a great job on her in the first half," said Anna coach Jack Billing. "But she's a great player and she came up big in the second half. she is mentally tough and that showed."
Anna came out and, behind Carrie Watkins, had the game at the pace that head coach Jack Billing wanted.
Watkins hit four three-pointers and had 14 points in the opening quarter, leading Anna to a 20-16 lead after one.
But over the final three periods and the overtime, Anna would add just 20 more, and Watkins would not score again.
Even with that, Versailles had to battle from behind throughout.
"I want to thank our MAC schools for preparing us becaue without our schedule, we wouldn't be tested and ready for a game like this. Our girls believe in themselves, have faith and have the chemistry working right now," said Versailles coach Jacki Stonebraker.
The Lady Tigers would have been in big trouble had it not been for Bethany Ahrens in the first quarter. With Campbell effectively neutralized, and Anna scoring a lot of points, Ahrens stepped up and had 11 to keep her team in the game.
After combining for 36 points in the opening quarter, the two teams managed only six total in the second, four by Anna for a 24-18 lead.
"We were able to control the tempo the final three quarters and in overtime," Stonebraker said. "We haven't given up 20 points in a quarter all season, but when we only gave up four in the second quarter, I thought that now we're going.
"It was gut-check time for Megan (Campbell) at halftime and she responded in the second half," she added.
"We wanted it to be a shootout and it was in the first quarter," said Billing. "But Versailles controlled the tempo from there. Carrie (Watkins) was hot early, but Versailles took away our guards after that."
The Lady Tigers outscored Anna 11-6 in the third quarter to pull within one. Anna's Ashley Frohne scored with 2:52 remaining to put Anna up 30-27, and no more points were scored until Versailles' Lauren Rindler scored on a layup with :27 left in the period to make it 30-29.
Anna scored the first three points of the final period on a bucket by Natalie Billing and a Rebecca Burch free throw to make it 33-29, then traded buckets for a 35-31 lead.
But Versailles got two free throws from Campbell and a jumper from Campbell to knot the score at 35-35 with just 3:23 left in regulation.
Burch scored for Anna with 1:47 left for a 37-35 lead and Versailles was unable to counter, turning the ball over. The Lady Tigers had to foul to put Anna on the line, and finally did with :49 remaining. But Burch missed the first shot.
Campbell then scored with :29 left to tie it up and Anna's Billing missed a jumper at the buzzer that would have won it.
Versailles scored first in the overtime, its first lead since 5:31 left in the opening quarter.
Megan Fogt hit a free throw for Anna to make it 39-38 with 1:24 left, then Fogt hit a jumper with :57 remaining to put Anna up 40-39.
Versailles worked the clock down and got the ball to their hot hand, Campbell, and she scored inside with :07 remaining to win it, Burch's shot at the buzzer bouncing away.
"We ran a play at the end to get Megan the ball," said Stonebraker. "It didn't work, so Susan (Berger) drove the baseline and Megan got open underneath. It was a great play by Susan."
Campbell led Versailles with 17 and Ahrens added 13.
Watkins was the only Lady Rocket in double figures, but Fogt added nine and Billing eight.
"We had our chances, but couldn't convert," said Billing. "Versailles has tradition with being here three years in a row and it showed. I thought we were the better team, but tradition and experience is key, especially in a game like this."
The Lady Rockets were 15-for-37 from the field for 41 percent. They were 6-for-11 from the free throw line.
Versailles was 17-for-33 from the field, 52 percent, and 6-for-7 from the line. The Lady Tigers also outrebounded the Lady Rockets 26-17, with Tara Winner leading with seven.
Versailles (41)
Schlater 2-0-5; Berger 1-0-2; Ahrens 5-3-13; Campbell 7-3-17; Rindler 2-0-4. Totals: 17-6-41.
Anna (40)
Watkins 4-2-14; Burch 3-1-7; Fogt 4-1-9; Billing 3-2-8; Frohne 1-0-2. Totals: 15-6-40.
Score by quarters:
Versailles 16 18 29 37 41
Anna 20 24 30 37 40
Three-pointers: Anna 4 (Watkins 4); Versailles 1 (Schlater).
Records: Anna 21-4, Versailles 17-6.
Next game: Saturday, 1:30, Versailles vs. Madison in regional championship.
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