February 12, 2004

SPORTS

YSHS junior Sarah Finn set a pick and disrupted the movement of a Troy Christian defender during the first half of the Lady Bulldogs’ 44–42 loss last Saturday at home. Finn grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 2 points during the game.

Lady Bulldogs go 2–1 in last week

The YSHS girls basketball players capitalized on their depth to pull out two strong wins over Xenia Christian, 54–36, last Thursday, and Cedarville, 60–51, on Monday. But the Lady Bulldogs lost 44–42 to Troy Christian on Saturday.
The team’s record is now 12–5 overall.

Thursday’s game was an example of smart teamwork and broad participation, as seven players scored. The Lady Bulldogs took a 15–3 lead in the first quarter, let up a little in the second and third, and only led 34–24 as the fourth quarter began. But the Lady Bulldogs drove the game home outscoring Xenia Christian 20–8 in the game’s final eight minutes.

Alisha Walker ripped 9 rebounds from the air, with help from Carly Bailey, Sarah Finn and Dana Ingham. Evin Wimberly was the high scorer with 16 points, to go along with 5 steals and 4 assists. Tricia McLinden scored 15 points and had 2 block shots.

The score on Saturday did not reflect the Lady Bulldogs’ self-defeating lack of intensity in the first three quarters against an aggressive Troy Christian team. The Lady Bulldogs were 13–39, or 13 percent, from the field, and were outscored 9–4 in the first quarter and trailed 23–14 at the half.

Then in the fourth quarter, the Lady Bulldogs finally woke up, outscoring Troy 16–8. While the Lady Bulldogs’ defense worked to shut down Troy’s shooting guard and Wimberly turned up the team’s half-court press, a fresh Alisha Walker hit three field goals, including a much needed three-point basket, to make the score 42–39 with 20 seconds on the clock. With pressure mounting, Troy got 2 more points, making Wimberly’s 3-point basket at the buzzer moot.

The Lady Bulldogs shook off the loss two days later with a solid four-quarter effort against Cedarville. The team was led by high scorers Burrick, 27 points, and Wimberly, 22.

The Lady Bulldogs’ defense showed intensity from the first quarter, and good passing allowed six players to score. Burrick broke loose in the second half, scoring three quick unanswered baskets.

“We have small people underneath [who] play with big hearts,” coach Shirley Cummins said. “They may not pull down a lot of rebounds, but they box out and allow their teammates to get the ball.”

Lady Bulldogs set for tourney play
The Lady Bulldogs will play Miami Valley, a team they have beaten twice this year, in the first round of the Division IV sectionals at Tippecanoe High School. If the Lady Bulldogs win, they will play the winner of the Covington–Mississinawa Valley game. Covington is the top seed in the Tipp City Lower bracket.

Bulldogs click on all cylinders

Last week the YSHS boys varsity basketball team traveled far for three more wins. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs went to Sidney to play Lehman Catholic, winning 76–56. Three days later, they won 73–48 at Troy Christian, followed by a 72–56 win at Columbus Westland.

The Bulldogs are now 12–3 overall, and 7–1 in the MBC. The Bulldogs are now a half game behind Jefferson in the conference.

On Tuesday, the Bulldogs got off to a slow start, falling behind 7–0, and ending the first quarter 17–12.

However, with their pressure defense and hot shooting the ’Dogs were able to take control and grab a 37–27 lead at halftime.

In the second half the Bulldogs dominated Lehman, leading by as many as 30 points before the end of the game.

The Bulldogs were led by Dustin Rudegeair’s 27 points and 12 rebounds; Rory Hotaling’s 18 points, including six 3-pointers; Jordan Skinner’s 13 points and 15 rebounds; and Anthony Brandon’s 12 points.

Three days later in a big MBC game against Troy Christian, Skinner led the Bulldogs with a huge game.

Behind Skinner’s 30 points and 10 rebounds, the ’Dogs were able to break open the game with a 25–8 second quarter performance. The Bulldogs may have played their strongest defensive game of the year.

Rudegeair had 15 points and 8 rebounds and Brandon scored 13 points.
The next day, the Bulldogs took a ride to Division I Westland High School in Columbus, pulling out a mild upset.

The ’Dogs took control in the first quarter, leading 15–9. Led by Rudegeair’s inside presence and sharp outside shooting, the Bulldogs increased their lead to 34–22 at the half. The Bulldogs were up by as many as 25 points in the third quarter. The ’Dogs were fueled by six 3-pointers from five different players.
Rudegeair scored a game-high 24 points, and Brandon ended up with a season-high 19 points, including two 3-pointers.

Though Westland is now 3–13, they are a much bigger school than YSHS, making the win even sweeter.

“These guys were clicking on all four cylinders last week,” head coach Brad Newsome said. “When this team plays hard for four quarters, it’s hard for anyone to stop them.”

The Bulldogs will play their last home game of the season on Friday, Feb. 13, against Jefferson. The game is Senior Night, when the team’s seniors will be honored before the game.

’Dogs 3rd in Division IV sectionals

The Division IV tournament drawing was held on Saturday. The Bulldogs, seeded third in the Dayton sectional, will play Springfield Catholic Central on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m., at the University of Dayton Arena.

Jefferson is seeded first, Southeastern second and Ansonia fourth.

Sixth-grade boys basketball

The sixth-grade boys basketball team won three games in the last two weeks against Southeastern, 30–28, Blanchester, 34–31, and Clinton Massie, 38–21. The team is now 5–2.