By Bob Moore, www.cccbasketball.com

Wright State University – The third time is the charm for the Franklin Monroe Jets as they pull a dominating upset victory over the #4 seed Tri-Village Patriots in the second round of the sectional tournament. The Jets dominated the boards, played great defense, made good decisions on offense and revenged two regular season losses to TV. The Jets win convincingly, 56 – 42.

The Jets set the tone early by shutting down the Patriots leading scorer Sam Lindamood with a box and one. Lindamood was averaging 20 points a game and the Jets were able to hold him to 8 points on this night. “I don’t think too many teams have held Lindamood under 10 points all season” noted FM Coach Mike Feitshans. “Chris Hall just did an outstanding job on Lindamood tonight.”

The Patriots knew that they would probably see the box and one. The Pats had a hard time finding passing lanes with the pressure applied out top by FM. All season long in big games the Pats were able to find other scorers to loosen the defense up for Lindamood. The FM defense caused TV to misfire on their first 3 possessions down the floor and Coach Feitshans noted in his post game comments that they sensed the frustration and they were able to take control of the momentum early in this game.

“We can relate to that frustration” noted Feitshans. We’ve been struggling all season and when you’re frustrated you just can’t focus and you lose confidence.”

FM used a very deliberate and patient offense against the early TV zone to look for good shots and to keep the ball out of the hands of the Tri-Village offense.

After FM took an early 4 – 0 lead the Pats were able to battle back with a 3 ball from Dan Foreman and Sam Lindamood to tie the game at 6. The game remained tied until the last minute of the quarter when Grant Shellabarger scores his 6th point of the quarter and Logan Halderman scores on a TV turnover. The Jets would lead 10 – 6 after one quarter.

In the second quarter the FM D caused more TV miscues and the FM team just out hustled and busted the Pats on the boards. Halderman would lead an FM 6 point run to put them up 16 – 6 halfway through the second quarter. TV would call a timeout and switch to a man defense. This would provide some life to the Pats as they were able to close the gap to 5 as late as 47 seconds left in the quarter. However, the Jets would respond with a 3 ball from senior Zach Long and the Jets lead 23 – 15 at the break.

In the second half the Jets were able to apply the pressure and take advantage of the TV frustrations. The closest that TV would come in the second half is 7 points with just under 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.

Each FM offensive possession in the beginning of each quarter would last over 45 seconds. When they did shoot they were deadly. FM would shoot 12 for 23 (52%) from the field in the second half and they were just a good from the free throw line. FM would not miss a free throw until the end of the game when the outcome was already decided. They would nail 12 in a row and miss on #13. Four of the FM starters; Halderman, Shellabarger, Hall and Long would shoot 50% from the field for the game and shoot 12 for 12 from the free throw line!

The Jets would cause the Pats to turn the ball over 10 times in the second half. The Jets would end up scoring 14 points off turnovers and that ended up being the margin of victory. Controlling the basketball was one of the keys that Coach Sagester mentioned to me before this game began.

After the game a disappointed Josh Sagester gave the FM team the credit they deserved. “They just outplayed us tonight. They came out and did a nice job with the box and one and played a very nice ballgame.”

He told his team that a 14 – 8 season is something they can be proud of, especially since no one expected them to be anywhere close to challenging for a conference title.

He thanked his seniors, Taylor Brubaker, Dan Foreman and Sam Lindamood for the leadership and good examples they provided for the under classmen on this young team. He praised them for the hard work and what they contributed to the TV basketball program. “Those three guys just mean the world to me and I would be very proud to claim any one of them as my own sons. They and along with the whole Tri-Village community just welcomed me in with open arms last year and I will never forget that.”

Coach Feitshans was very proud of his team’s effort. “Whenever you can get great team defense like that and control the boards (32 – 25) you’re going to win some ball games.” He noted that the team has been building confidence and with that confidence they are able to focus on execution.

Grant Shellabarger led the Jets with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Logan Halderman added 14 points with 9 rebounds. Zach Long ended the game with 10 points going 2 – 2 from the 3 point line and the free throw line. Chris Hall ended the game with 8 points, 8 rebounds and multiple praises from his coach in the post game on the great job on defense!

The Jets survive to play another day and will face the #1 seed the Cedarville Indians at the Nutter Center on March 8, 2006 at 8 PM for the sectional title.

Scoring by quarters
TV…6…15…25…42
FM..10…23…36…56

TV (14 – 8)
Foreman – 13
Wheeler – 12
Lindamood – 8
Greer – 4
L. Brubaker – 3
T. Brubaker – 2

FM (7 – 15)
Shellabarger - 18
Halderman - 14
Long – 10
Hall – 8
Hutchinson – 4
Nealeigh – 2

3 Point Goals – TV – 6; Lindamood (2), Wheeler (2), Foreman, L. Brubaker FM – 2; Long