December 30, 2003 - New Madison

The Tri-Village Lady Patriots squared off against the Union City Lady Indians ranked 13th in Indiana... and been as high as number four. Tri-Village came to play for a while it looked liked they were poised to stage an upset. But in the end the Lady Indians were too quick out front and too strong inside.

The first quarter was a closely contested one with neither team able to get on track offensively. With the game knotted 4-4 with 5:32 to play Union City jumped into a box and one full court press but the Lady Patriots handled the full court press well and stayed close only down 11-8 after one.

The second quarter Tri-Village was able to attack the pressure laden Indians and scored a number of baskets in transition. But with the Patriots trailing by one 15-14, Samantha Coomer picked up her 3rd foul at the 5:24 mark. Union City took advantage of her absence and attacked inside and widened their lead to 22-14. But the Patriots would fight back sparked by the inside play of Heather Deaton and unusually good free throw shooting. They would convert 6 of 8 in the last 3 minutes of the half including a free throw by Deaton at 1:23 giving the Patriots a lead of 23-22. Two more free throws by Burns and Tri-Village lead 25-24 giving Union City something to talk about in the locker room at half time.

The third quarter had no sooner started and Samantha Coomer picked up her fourth foul and back to the bench. The game was getting physical on the inside and Union City was capitalizing by getting second and third opportunities on the way to a 45 - 34 lead at the end of the third.

Rather than roll over and quite the Lady Patriots fought back. Burns and Deaton would lead the way early in the fourth. A Burns basket and free throw along with 3 Deaton free throws... and TV had cut the lead to 46-40 with 6:29 to play. Brennan Moore would add a free throw... and another driving basket by Deaton and the Patriots had cut the lead to five 48-43. Union City called a timeout to talk strategy. It paid off as they came out spreading the floor running a weave out front. The quickness of their guards penetrating and dishing off inside enabled them to spring forward quickly and in a matter of minutes had put the game out of reach scoring many easy baskets.

The final score of 61-45 didn't reflect how well Tri-Village played most of the game...but again they didn't finish the job. This team needs to find a way to be mentally tougher and physically tougher when the game is on the line.

The Patriots are now heading into the heart of CCC league play and need to find a way to win big games. It won't get much bigger then their next opponent Twin Valley South when they come to town Thursday, January 8, 2004. Go Patriots!

Box Scores
Tri-Village
#10 - Burns - 9
#24 - Moore - 8
#32 - Deaton - 17
#35 - Burkhardt - 1
#42 - Skidmore - 3
#44 - Frazier - 2
#50 - Coomer - 5
TOTALS - 45

Union City
#10 - Mackey - 3
#20 - Abby Doppler - 1
#24 - Threewits - 12
#30 - Allie Doppler - 15
#34 - Montgomery - 13
#44 - Lenkensdofer - 18
TOTALS - 61