New Madison – November 27, 2004
When a team comes out and stands around without movement or intensity bad things happen. In the first half that is exactly what the Lady Patriots did against Middletown Madison losing 36-30.

In the first quarter Madison had a hot hand in part due to a lackluster defensive effort. Meanwhile the Patriots found the inside rough going as Madison’s 6’4” senior Amanda Eckhardt swatted a number of shots as the defense held TV to one shot and out. On the other end of the floor the Mohawks were getting multiple shots due to second and third attempts and Tri-Village was down 14-6 at the end of the quarter.

To start the second period the Patriots got a boost from Tina Allison with two straight inside baskets followed by a drive and score by Heather Deaton and pulled to within four points at 16-12 with 5:50 to play. Middletown would increase their lead with two consecutive treys and two free throws at 2:55 then it was a 25-12 lead. Another inside score by Allison brought TV to 25-14 at the half.

One can only imagine the pep talk that was going on in the locker room at the half. It probably went something like this, you are all standing around, no one is moving on offense or defense. Lets pick up our intensity on defense and get some movement in our offense.

If this was the conversation the message got through because the Patriots were a different team in the second half. Employing a straight up in your face man defense the Patriots frustrated Middletown not allowing a single field goal in the quarter. If not for a single free throw they would have been held scoreless. On the offensive end Karli Dill provided two three pointers and… a drive by Mary Skidmore brought them into striking distance 26-22.

To start the final stanza the defense was holding steady. A Heather Deaton score at 6:59 got the Patriots to within two points 26-24. Middletown then scored on a fast break then decided to take a timeout to try and find a solution on how to break down the defense of the Lady Patriots.

Two free throws by the Mohawks increased their lead more but… the back breaker was the six attempts on the same trip down the floor only to be fouled converting both free throws going ahead 32-24. On this day the Patriot offense was not in rhythm. Middletown finished out the game at the line winning it 36-30.

The defense held Middletown Madison to just two field goals in the second half. To beat good teams requires 4 quarters of intensity and this team has the capabilities of doing it. They’ll have another opportunity Thursday evening as they take on the Newton Lady Indians at Pleasant Hill in their first league game.

Go Patriots!

Box Score
Tri-Village Patriots
#24 – Moore – 0
#25 – Dill – 6
#32 – Deaton – 6
#34 – Bailey – 0
#35 – Allison – 8
#42 – Skidmore – 2
#44 – Frazier - 8
Totals -30

Middletown Madison Mohawks
#03 – Ponder – 11
#05 – Plumbo – 0
#10 – Wilhoit – 5
#12 – Prosperi – 7
#23 – Nance – 7
#32 – Eckhardt – 2
#34 – Neal – 4
Totals - 36 

Score by quarters:
Tri-Village – 6 – 14 – 22 – 30
Middletown Madison – 14 – 25 – 26 – 36