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Versailles
junior Courtney Prenger (20) battles for a loose ball during
first half action
between Vaersaiiles and Arcanum. The Lady Tigers
moved on with a 71-19 victory.
The Tigers will face Anna Saturday for
the right to advance to the district.
CNO photos by George Starks
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Versailles too powerful for Trojans
Arcanum puts up a good fight
By George Starks
TIPP CITY- Having faced Versailles earlier in the season, Arcanum coach
Rachel Fearon knew what to expect from the Tigers in the D-III
sectional semi-final game at Tipp City Wednesday.
There are times when knowing doesn’t help.
Versailles was just too overpowering Wednesday night as the Tigers
rolled to a 71-19 victory, ending the Trojans season a little earlier
than Arcanum would have liked.
Playing a solid first quarter, the Trojans trailed 14-7.
That would be as close as it would get the rest of the way.
Versailles went on a scoring rampage in the second eight minutes,
putting up 26 points while holding the Trojans to just two points in
the frame, both from the foul line.
“We had a defensive lapse in the first quarter and we wanted to put a
little pressure on them,” said Tigers coach Jackie Stonebreaker. “When
we play defense, we’re hard to stop offensively. I think our defense
fuels our offense and I think it showed tonight.”
Katie Heckman and Krista Putoff had 12 points each for the Tigers but
it was some solid play that helped spark the Versailles effort led by
Lauren Bruns with seven points.
“She does a nice job running the point or even as a shooting guard,”
said Stonebreaker. “Sometimes, she needs to work on her defense but
offensively, she’s a great threat.”
Even though the scoreboard reflected a blowout, there are things the
final score can’t reflect.
Heart… determination… hustle.
“My kids never gave up. Versailles is a good team,” said an emotional
Fearon. “I kept telling them; don’t give up because that’s not us. The
second quarter killed us and they got it together in the second
quarter. At halftime I told them we can’t come out here and give up.
That’s not who we are.”
Losing three players off her team, Fearon admitted that the attitude of
Morgan Buck, Hannah Prestel and Rebecca Denniston was something special.
“They set the tone for the future of the program,” Fearon stated. “I
brought two freshmen in and started them on varsity (Rebecca Deao and
Alexis Abner) and the seniors took them under their wing and showed
them the way. These kids got along. There was no fighting among them at
all. This group of kids were the best team I’ve ever coached.”
On the flip side, the Trojans season ends on a down note but the season
as a whole has been a success for Fearon and asst. coach Abby Moore.
A year ago, the Trojans were trying to get on the radar as a team.
This season, Arcanum finished three games under .500 at 10-13, but a
marked improvement from the previous season.
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Arcanum
junior Abby O'Donnell puts a body on Krista Putoff of Versailles.
O'Donnell will be back for the Trojans next season looking to lead her
school
to the district and hopefully, beyond.
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