NEW MADISON – A couple of Darke County schools, the Versailles Tigers and Tri-Village Patriots, kicked off the 2017-18 basketball season Friday night.
This is the 30th year for the Lady Patriots’ Bill Burkett Tournament, but this year it had a new look. For the last 29 years the original four teams – Ansonia, Arcanum, Franklin Monroe and Tri-Village – participated, but that changed this season. The four participants in this year’s tournament were the Miami Valley Rams, Greenon Knights, Versailles and host Tri-Village.
In the opening game Versailles got off to a slow start, still trying to get in the groove of basketball with most of the girls having just won a state championship in volleyball and still trying to get into basketball condition.
Greenon came out firing and led most of the first quarter, that is until the Tigers’ size and athleticism started to influence the game.
Versailles was able to get some late first quarter turnovers, leading to a few break-away buckets and then a triple by Danielle Kunk to give the Tigers a first quarter lead, 17-15.
The Tigers shut down the perimeter scoring of Greenon in the second period, and when the Knights drove into the lane they were unable to finish with the bumping and overall length and size of Versailles limiting their scoring to just 6 points in the frame.
Meanwhile, Versailles put up 23 points to take a commanding lead at the half, 40-21.
The Tigers maintained their defensive dominance in the second half, and the Knights were unable to generate enough offense to make a comeback as Versailles cruised to a 76-47 victory.
Versailles advanced to play in the championship game against the host of the tournament who won the night-cap over Miami Valley 92-23.
Versailles was led by Kami McEldowney with 15 points, Lindsey Winner 14, Danielle Winner 11 and Ellen Peters with 9 points.
Score by quarters:
Versailles … 17…23…18…18 – 76
Greenon …. 15…06…17…09 – 47
Individual scoring:
Versailles – K. McEldowney 15, C. McEldowney 4, H. McEldowney 2, Kunk 5, Peters 9, Ording 6, L. Winner 14, D. Winner 11, Custenborder 4, Marshal 6 – Totals 5-26-9/12 – 76
Greenon – Gmuca 1, Benedict 5, Potter 3, Henry 20, Ware 18 – Totals 6-11-7/12 – 47
