PITSBURG – Versailles took command of a close game with a 13-2 run to open the second quarter and an important 15-point contribution from the bench to ground the Northeastern Jets 53-35 Wednesday evening in the second round of the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III girls basketball tournament.
The Lady Tigers spent most of the first quarter establishing their inside game as Danielle Winner and Lauren Monnin accounted for 11 of their 14 points. The Lady Jets were a good physical matchup for Versailles and caused the Tigers to work hard in close for their scores. The Lady Tigers led after one period 14-10.
The second period would be the key to the game. Coach Jacki Stonebraker has been rotating many players in and out of games to keep them fresh and so they can give maximum effort for short periods of time. Kami Ording, a 5-foot 8-inch junior, would respond Wednesday night off the bench with two 3-point goals that kick-started the offense on its 13-2 burst.
Versailles went on to dominate the quarter 18-4. Monnin would contribute seven points while Camille Watren added a triple. Starting point guard Kami McEldowney returned to action and had a field goal during the period. It was all Lady Tigers at the half, 32-16.
“Second quarter was a big quarter for us,” Coach Stonebraker said. “We came out in the second quarter and smothered them defensively and got a couple quick steals. Kami Ording came in and hit two threes that were huge threes to build that lead. Those two threes, they got our offense ignited. Defense is what won us this game.”
The second half was very closely contested. The Lady Tigers won each quarter but only 10-9 and 11-10. Coach Stonebraker continued to give all of her players valuable tournament experience.
The lone black cloud this game for Versailles was free throw shooting. The Lady Tigers were 8 of 18 on the game and only 5 of 12 in the second half.
Versailles, now 18-6, will play Madison High School, who was a 47-25 winner over Dayton Christian, in the sectional final at 11 a.m. Saturday at Franklin Monroe.
Box score:
Versailles – 53
McEldowney 6, Watren 4, Blakeley 3, Langenkamp 2, K Ording 8, Peters 2, Winner 12, Monnin 16.
Northeastern – 35
McCohn 8, Suchland 4, K Moore 9, A Distl 2, Brady 2, C Moore 10.
3-pointers: Vers: 3(Watren, K Ording 2); NE: 0.
Free throws: Vers: 8-18; NE: 5-9.
