Brandt, Ohio
November 20, 2007

The Tri-Village Lady Patriots opened conference play traveling to Bethel to play the Lady Bees. It is a very difficult place to play and a game you want to be at full strength said Coach Gray going into the game knowing the Patriots were already without Kaila Burns out sick.

In the opening period the Patriots would struggle offensively similar to the opening round game of the Bill Burkett Tournament. Jordyn Fisherback scored at 7:07 off an inbounds pass and would sink two free throws with 10 seconds in the quarter to give the Patriots 4 points.

A strong defensive showing by the Patriots kept them in the game as they were also able to hold the Bees to just 4 points as well to tie after one period of play.

To make matters worse Tina Allison found foul trouble and Coach Gray sat her to keep her for the second half. Shawnda Stamps stepped in and immediately contributed to start the second period with a field goal and free throw.

Jordyn Fisherback dropped in a trey and fielder to put the Pats up 12-8 at 1:29 and things were looking good for the Patriots. Over the last 1:10 Bethel went on a 7 point run to close out the half nearly matching their point total in the first 15 minutes of play to lead 15-12.

“I felt our defense kept us in the game in the first half,” said Coach Brad Gray. “We were a little tired near the end of the half and lost our defensive principles that allowed them a little run… but with Tina sitting on the bench and Kaila out sick we were still in the game.”

In the third period Tri-Village drew within one point at 5:39 on an Erin Bundy baseline jumper to trail 17-16. Over the next 2 minutes the Bees frustrated TV with their full-court press and went on a 6-point run to go up 23-16.

Coach Gray called a timeout to settle his team, “I told them to slow the game down… use ball fakes and react to what the press gives and make better decisions.”

The Patriots executed to perfection after the timeout as they beat the press down the floor and Tina Allison converted an old-fashioned three-point play. Moments later Allison would net two free throws and now they trailed just 23-22.

Amelia Frazier gave the Patriots a brief one point lead making two free throws (10 of 10 for the year)… but Bethel would lead 27-24 at the end of three quarters of play.

In the final stanza the two teams were even when Fisherback nailed her second three-pointer on the night at 4:50 to make it 31-31.

Tri-Village would assert themselves with strong defense and timely free throw shooting to gradually pull away.

Over the next three minutes Allison sank a free throw, Hillary Frech dropped in two off the break followed by more free throws, two by Fisherback, Frech and one more from Allison would give the Patriots a 39-31 lead with 1:13 to play.

TV would then close out the game with a 41-35 victory in a key early season CCC match-up.

“Whew, I feel very fortunate we were able to get this win tonight,” said a relieved Brad Gray. “Coming in I wasn’t sure how we would perform, but the girls kept their composure and didn’t get frustrated. They played within themselves and we had some younger players step up for us.”

“Jordyn Fisherback played a huge game for us tonight, she dropped in 17 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, 12 defensively. To be successful we’ll need a good effort out of her every night,” concluded coach Gray.

The Patriots now move to 2-1 on the young season and 1-0 in conference play. They will be back in action Saturday in a boys and girls double header at National Trail.

Scoring by Quarters:

Tri-Village 04 08 12 17 – 41
Bethel 04 11 12 08 – 35

Tri-Village
Allison 09
Bundy 02
Fisherback 17
Frazier 04
Frech 04
Stamps 05
Totals 41

Bethel
Swackhammer 04
Kopp 02
Klingenberg 05
Ellerbrock 07
Bennett 05
Lewis 06
Totals 35

Three Point Goals
TV (2) Fisherback 2
Bethel (2) Klingenberg 1, Banks 1