March 1, 2004 - Tipp City

The Lady Patriots were facing Franklin Monroe for the second time this season with the chance to even the score and more importantly stay alive in the post season tournament. The team gave a good effort but it was the Jets moving on to the districts as they were too much for Tri-Village to handle.

Tri-Village knew they had to play with emotion and intensity for 4 quarters to have a chance to win. The intensity was evident from the start playing in your face man to man defense forcing the Jets to work hard to find open looks. This effort found the Patriots down a point after the first quarter 8-7.

To start the second period Samantha Coomer scored off a rebound and the Patriots were up 9-8. After an Olivia Frazier two with 5:12 to go they were down 12-11. Over the next three minutes the Jets were able to break free to connect on three 3 pointers - two of them back to back and a 23-14 lead. The run was reminiscent to the first meeting the two teams had only this time Tri-Village didn't fold and scrapped to keep it close before the end of the half. Coomer scored 4 points and Frazier 2 off a rebound to get within six down 25-19.

"We missed key shots inside while Kakatolis was sitting the bench in foul trouble in the second quarter," said Coach Maples. The Patriots also had 9 turnovers in the first half but they were still in the game.

To start the third quarter FM extended their lead to 10 points 31-21 with 6:00 minutes to play. The lead would remain throughout as the Lady Patriots struggled to shut down FM's offense and trailed 42-33 after three.

In the final stanza the Jets continued to build their lead and the Patriots trying to get back into the game playing aggressive started to foul. The lady Jets don't miss many free throws and connected on 6-7 in the quarter and 12-13 overall. With 2 minutes to go and the Jets in total control Coach Maples emptied his bench... and seniors Mattie Burns, Samantha Coomer and Sara Burkhart walked off the court for the last time to applause from the appreciative fans who came to support the Patriots. Franklin Monroe went on to post a 59-46 win and will move on to the districts.

For the game each team had 26 rebounds and FM had a slight edge in turnovers 13-11. Individually for TV Brennan Moore had 9 assists, Samantha Coomer pulled down 10 rebounds scored 10 points and Olivia Frazier lead the scoring with 12.

"This was a good season, said Maples. This was a fun group to coach and I had fun at every practice. Nobody expected us to be where we were tonight or throughout the whole season." "I'm proud of the girls and sorry to see it end," concluded Maples.

The Lady Patriots end the season finishing 3rd in the conference advancing to the sectional championship game and a 14-9 record. Congratulations on a fine season! 

Tri-Village Patriots
Burns - 6
Deaton – 5
Coomer – 10
Moore – 5
Frazier – 12
Skidmore  - 4
Burkhart – 0
Shane – 2
Dill – 2
Totals - 46

Franklin Monroe
Davenport – 14
Oswalt – 10
Halderman – 10
Vance – 17
Kakatolis – 4
Post – 4
Totals - 59 

Score by quarters:
Tri-Village ............7.............19..........33...........46
Franklin Monroe....8.............25..........42...........59