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Versailles
sophomore Kyle Ahrens steps up to play defense
in a recent game against Roger Bacon.
Ahrens averages 19 points a game
for the Tigers but it will be a solid defense that will help get
the
Tigers through to the state finals today. CNO
photo by George Starks
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Defense key in Tigers success
By George Starks
VERSAILLES- When Versailles coach Scott McEldowney put his five
starters on the floor today; he will need offensive output if the
Tigers are to go the championship game Saturday against either Ironton
or Ottawa-Glandorf.
It’s always been known in the realm of sports at Versailles that no
matter how much offense there is, it’s defense that wins those titles.
Today when Versailles (22-5) tips off against LaBrae, it will be no
different.
The biggest threat that Versailles will have to contend is 6-7 junior
Peyton Aldridge.
Aldridge, the Northeast District Player of the Year, averages 20.4
points and 11.7 rebounds a game for the 24-3 team from Leavittsburg.
“Aldridge can play the game but they can play the game,” said
McEldowney. “He will post up quite a bit and he has an excellent
outside shot. There will be times when we will have to double up on him
but we need to get a body on him all the time. We need to limit his
touches and shot attempts and we need to control him on the glass. We
have to watch ourselves because he is such a good passer and a lot of
his passes off rebounds will end in lay-ups. So we have to watch what
we’re doing. A lot of his rebounds are offensive because he attacks the
glass so much. So we have to win the rebounding war. If we can win on
the rebounding, I really like our chances in this game.”
In addition to Aldridge, Versailles will have its hands full on defense
starting with 5-foot 10-inch guard Carl Brown (10.5 points per game),
6-foot 1-inch guard John Richards (9.0 points per game), 6-foot 1-inch
forward Nate Middleton (3.0 points per game) and 5-foot 9-inch guard
Chris Clevenger (4.0 points per game) in its starting lineup.
“These kids bring a load to the table,” McEldowney stated. “These kids
are just really tough. The Richards kid is a very nice shooter and is
very solid. They just have some athletes. The Brown kid has been
playing really well for them. They’ve been bringing a kid with the last
name of Richardson in off the bench. He’s 6-3 and a good post player
and a real animal for them on the boards. He gives them another inside
presence and is really solid. Our team defensively will need to step it
up a little.”
Playing defense at Versailles is a must for all Tigers and McEldowney’s
teams are no different.
As a rule, McEldowney has been a man-to-man type of a coach on defense.
Now, the Tigers have employed a 2/3 zone and McEldowney isn’t hesitant
to use it.
“We will probably start out in our man defense,” said McEldowney. “I
have enough confidence in our zone to go to it if needed. If we get
into foul trouble, like we did with Stivers, I will go to it. Let’s
hope this isn’t the case because three of our top players were in foul
trouble and we were in trouble because of it. We have to play good
solid defense and contest everything we can.”
McEldowney ended by saying they have to cut down on turnovers and
protect the ball better.
In the game with Roger Bacon, Versailles committed 21 turnovers to only
seven for the Spartans.
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