CASSTOWN – The Tri-Village Lady Patriots advanced to the championship game of The Barn Ball Classic hosted by Miami East by defeating Greenon 68-24.
West Liberty-Salem advanced to the title game with 64-41 win over Dayton Meadowdale.
Tri-Village would take on the Tigers missing a key center piece of the team as Danika Mann was unable to suit up, putting the Patriots at a disadvantage on the inside with West Liberty Salem’s 6-foot 3-inch Jamie Peterson.
Peterson proved to be tough on the Patriots in the first half as she scored 12 points and blocked or altered a number of TV shots as well.
But when the half ended TV was all tied up with the Tigers at 25.
The Patriots used their quickness and speed to get up and down the floor or created mismatches in the half court off the dribble drive, and freshman Emma Printz stepped up in her starting role by scoring nine points to help keep the Patriots in the game.
Allie Downing scored 10 points in the half while also pulling double duty trying to defend the Tigers center at the same time.
In the third quarter Tri-Village spread out West Liberty and attacked the basket with six different players scoring two points and Brooke Godown scored four to put the Patriots up 39-33.
In the final stanza TV got a big triple from Downing, and the Patriots controlled the tempo and maintained their lead throughout eventually pulling away for a 50-40 win.
It would be only the second loss of the year for a very good West Liberty-Salem team, who now stands at 8-2.
Tri-Village got a great defensive effort from Downing and good help defense from the guards, holding Peterson to just three points in the second half.
“I know Peterson had 12 points in the first half, and it might not seem like Allie Downing was doing a good job on Peterson, but the girl is 6’3” and can shoot over the top of anyone. I thought Allie did a great job on defense, especially in the second half, and made it tough on her for the shots she did take, and our guards did a good job of digging down,” Tri-Village girls basketball coach Brad Gray said.
Downing led the Patriots with 15 points and nine rebounds and also had three assists and two blocks that would earn her the MVP of the Barn Ball Classic tournament.
“I’m also happy to see Emma Printz have the game she did, especially the way we played today. It was more her style where we spread it out and let kids go make plays, and she made some plays for us tonight,” Gray said.
Printz scored 13 points and also dished out three assists and would be named to the all-tournament team as well.
“Obviously Danika Mann is a big part of what we do … but we expect all our kids to have success and when they are asked to step up we expect them get the job done,” Gray added.
The Patriots got eight points from Brooke Godown, six for Shelbey Dowler and four from Autumn Moore and Rachel Miller. Miller also would have two assists, two steals and five rebounds.
“I really like our kids, collectively as a team it was our best rebounding effort, and they followed the game plan to a ‘T,’ and the results speak for themselves. I’m really proud of the way they all stepped up and played the game tonight,” Gray concluded.
Tri-Village improves to 10-1 and now will have a long break before the Patriots are back in action on Jan. 7 when they travel to National Trail.
Box score:
Score by quarters:
TV …… 11 … 14 …14 .… 11 – 50
WLS … 11 … 14 … 08 … 07 – 40
Individual scores:
TRI-VILLAGE (10-1)
Rachel Miller 4, Autaum Moore 4, Emma Printz 13, Allie Downing 15, Brooke Godown 8, Shelbey Dowler 6
Totals 4-17-4/6 – 50
WEST LIBERTY-SALESM
Gabby Hollar 4, Jamie Peterson 15, Kelsey Day 8, Lily Yoder 4, Taylor Lauck 9
Totals 1-17-3/6 – 40
3-pointers:
TV – 4 (Downing 2, Printz 2)
WLS – 1 (Peterson)
