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Kayla
McEldowney fights for position and an outlet during a game played
at Versailles
earlier this season. Tonight, McEldowney and the Lady
Tigers will look to make a run to Columbus and
the second season begins
at Tipp City against West Liberty Salem. CNO file photo
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It’s time to
dance
By George Starks
DARKE COUNTY- With the 2013 basketball season in the books for the
Darke County girls basketball teams, the ladies are now looking to the
second season, a.k.a. the sectionals.
The run to state starts tonight for many teams across Ohio and actually
started Wednesday for some. Locally, the Versailles Tigers will get
things going at Tipp City against West Liberty Salem in the first round.
Tip time is scheduled for 7:30, following the Anna/Northridge game.
It was a year ago, on the opening night of sectionals, the Tigers were
eliminated and Versailles coach Jackie Stonebreaker will be looking to
avoid another opening night disaster.
The V-Tigers, currently 19-3, are seeded third in the sectional, ranked
ninth in the state polls, with Miami East (1) and Anna (2) ahead of
them. The WLS Tigers come in seeded ninth.
Saturday, Bradford and Tri-Village will get their sectional games
underway at Brookville.
Bradford, seeded seventh, will play the second game of the day as the
Railroaders will look to upend the second seeded, Covington Lady Buccs.
Holding an 8-12 mark at the time of the drawing, Bradford has been
playing some of its best ball of the season.
Sporting a 19-1 record at the draw, now 21-1, the top seeded Patriots,
ranked fifth in the state, will look to get past the one win Jefferson
Broncos.
“We can’t afford to look past anyone,” said Patriots senior Shaye
Thomas in a recent interview.
If the Patriots look to get back to the state semi-finals, it all
starts with Jefferson on Saturday.
The Patriots fell to Berlin Hiland in the state semi-final, 53-47.
In that fatefull day, the Patriots put three players in double figures,
led by then seniors, Kayla Linkous with 19 points. Shaye Thomas and
Krystal Falknor had 10 each in the loss.
The Patriots finished the 2011-12 season with a 25-2 record.
Berlin Hiland would eventually fall to Arlington in the state
championship game, 52-37.
Bradford is set to play the second game of the day, upon the completion
of the Southeastern/Twin Valley South game at 11 a.m.
The Patriots will play the final game of the day following the
Newton/Bethel game.
If successful, Bradford will take on Mississinawa Valley on Tuesday
while the Patriots will play Emmanuel Christian on the following
Thursday.
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