By Colin Altevogt
Staff Writer
ELKHART â??? Ultimately, the
sport of basketball comes down to putting the ball into the hoop. For this
simple reason, Westview advances to its first state finals following a Class 2A
semistate win over Harding in a battle of 17th-ranked teams.
sport of basketball comes down to putting the ball into the hoop. For this
simple reason, Westview advances to its first state finals following a Class 2A
semistate win over Harding in a battle of 17th-ranked teams.
Despite committing 10 more turnovers (23 to 13) than their
opponents, the Warriors led from start to finish in their 59-48 victory.
Westview, which was ousted in last yearâ??s regional semifinal, advances to play
top-ranked Heritage Christian at Conseco Fieldhouse next week.
opponents, the Warriors led from start to finish in their 59-48 victory.
Westview, which was ousted in last yearâ??s regional semifinal, advances to play
top-ranked Heritage Christian at Conseco Fieldhouse next week.
The loss ends Hardingâ??s season a week after a big upset of third-ranked
Taylor in an
emotional regional championship. The Hawks had endured an injury to a top
player, a coaching change, and the death of a team member all in the past few
months.
Taylor in an
emotional regional championship. The Hawks had endured an injury to a top
player, a coaching change, and the death of a team member all in the past few
months.
Thanks to some cold shooting early by its opponent, Westview got
out to a quick 10-3 lead before Harding guard Rashida â??Sugarâ? Ray knocked down
a jumper with five seconds remaining in the quarter. Ray, who fractured her
foot in practice very early in the season, was seeing her first action in
months.
out to a quick 10-3 lead before Harding guard Rashida â??Sugarâ? Ray knocked down
a jumper with five seconds remaining in the quarter. Ray, who fractured her
foot in practice very early in the season, was seeing her first action in
months.
Both teams had trouble getting the ball into their stars early.
Harding forward Danielle Ben-Tsuvulun did not score in the first period, and
Westview center Tiffany Fisher had only two.
Harding forward Danielle Ben-Tsuvulun did not score in the first period, and
Westview center Tiffany Fisher had only two.
Fisher, however, came to life in the second quarter, at one
point scoring six straight as the Warrior lead stretched into double digits.
point scoring six straight as the Warrior lead stretched into double digits.
The sophomore sensation added two more baskets on back-to-back
possessions in the final two minutes of the half as Westview took a 23-11
advantage into the locker room.
possessions in the final two minutes of the half as Westview took a 23-11
advantage into the locker room.
Harding failed to capitalize on Westviewâ??s 12 first-half turnovers
as the Hawks shot a miserable 15.6 percent (5 for 32) in the opening quarters.
as the Hawks shot a miserable 15.6 percent (5 for 32) in the opening quarters.
Westview guard Colette Lambright drained a three just 10 seconds
into the third quarter, then teammate Cheri Borkholder knocked down two free
throws and scored on a drive. Just 90 seconds into the second half, Hardingâ??s
once-manageable 12-point deficit had grown to 20.
into the third quarter, then teammate Cheri Borkholder knocked down two free
throws and scored on a drive. Just 90 seconds into the second half, Hardingâ??s
once-manageable 12-point deficit had grown to 20.
Harding finally answered, going on a 13-3 run to finish the
quarter. And despite shooting an atrocious 19.6 percent (9 for 46) in the first
three quarters, the Hawks trailed by only 10, 34-24, entering the final period.
quarter. And despite shooting an atrocious 19.6 percent (9 for 46) in the first
three quarters, the Hawks trailed by only 10, 34-24, entering the final period.
And they had hope.
MyQueisha Bratton, who led Harding with 18 points, put back a
miss, and Ben-Tsuvulun scored on the next possession, slicing the deficit to
six. After Westview guard Michelle Haney hit a pair from the line to stop
Hardingâ??s run, the Hawks got threes from Derrecka Rogers and Ray to bring them
within a basket.
miss, and Ben-Tsuvulun scored on the next possession, slicing the deficit to
six. After Westview guard Michelle Haney hit a pair from the line to stop
Hardingâ??s run, the Hawks got threes from Derrecka Rogers and Ray to bring them
within a basket.
These long-distance shots, however, were few and far between.
Harding shot only 4 of 24 from behind the arc for the game. In spite of the
poor shooting, however, the Hawks were able to stay in the game with tough
defense.
Harding shot only 4 of 24 from behind the arc for the game. In spite of the
poor shooting, however, the Hawks were able to stay in the game with tough
defense.
Westview had trouble breaking Hardingâ??s full-court defense, and
the Hawks fed off the Warriorsâ?? inability to hang onto the ball. At one point,
the Warriors went eight minutes without hitting a shot from the field.
the Hawks fed off the Warriorsâ?? inability to hang onto the ball. At one point,
the Warriors went eight minutes without hitting a shot from the field.
In the end, however, it was Hardingâ??s inability to score that cost
the team. The Hawks shot 26 percent from the field and attempted 16 less free
throws than their opponents.
the team. The Hawks shot 26 percent from the field and attempted 16 less free
throws than their opponents.
After Harding came within a point of the Warriors, Fisher hit a
layup to end the drought. She scored again on the next possession, and although
Harding was able to keep it close until the last minute, the Hawks could not
contain the 6â??1â? sophomore.
layup to end the drought. She scored again on the next possession, and although
Harding was able to keep it close until the last minute, the Hawks could not
contain the 6â??1â? sophomore.
Fisher was a force inside all game, pulling down 13 rebounds and
scoring 16 of her 29 points in the final period. Hanley added 18 for the
Warriors, including 9 of 10 from the free throw line.
scoring 16 of her 29 points in the final period. Hanley added 18 for the
Warriors, including 9 of 10 from the free throw line.
Ben-Tsuvlun scored 12 for Harding in the last game of her high
school career.
school career.
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