Osgood Journal Sports

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UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING FEBRUARY 14, 2017 1 P.M.

Regional champion hopes dashed for JCD Lady Eagles, SR Lady Raiders

Gary Franklin
SPORTS EDITOR

Lady Eagle Simon scores potential winning basket, controversially rejected by referee

Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagles hopes for a repeat state title came to an abrupt halt in the Regional Championship game action hosted by Sw Shelby High School on Saturday night, Feb. 11, as the Indianapolis Tindley Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Eagles 49-47 and moved to the next round. The Lady Eagles fought to secure the victory at the end of the game, but the whistles countered their action resulting in an end to JCD’s advancement, and sadly, the final game for seniors Kayla Bowling, Baili Miller, Rosie Newhart, and Olivia Voss. The four have experienced the highest of highs, as members of the State Champion IHSAA Class 1A girls team of 2016, and now the end of camaraderie in a positive 2017 team run taken away from them.

JCD Lady Eagle Mariah Day

JCD SPORTS PHOTO
Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagle sophomore Mariah Day (14) makes a move toward the basket on her Regional defender.

The 2017 IHSAA Class 1A Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagles final overall season record count concluded at 23-5. Coach Smith’s Lady Eagles demolished their morning competitors, the Bloomfield Lady Cardinal by a 29 point, 51-22 count, advancing them to the Regional championship game appearance Saturday night.

Game two of the Sw Shelby hosted Regional resulted in the Indianapolis Tindley Lady Tigers advancing to the title match to face the JCD Lady Eagles via their 12 point, 67-55 afternoon victory over the Indianapolis Lutheran Lady Saints. The Championship match between the JCD Lady Eagles and Tindley Lady Tigers found little consistency in calls; however, the Lady Eagles were able to stay in the thick of the game up to the final play, which resulted in the 49-47 advancement for the Lady Tigers to Semi-State competition next Saturday, Feb. 18, and the Lady Eagle season sadly over.

Prior to the sounding of the final horn, Jac-Cen-Del had secured a 2 point, 49-47, edge over the Lady Tigers with under 10 seconds remaining in the contest off a drive and lay up by Lady Eagle junior Lilly Simon; however, a controversial call, to go with many others, from an official who called a charge and rebuked the score as well giving Tindley the favored nod to go on to win the game in the aftermath. It was very discerning to have the game and second championship run robbed from the deserving Coach Smith and his Lady Eagles. It is one thing to lose a game to a better team and totally another to have it taken away by an official's call. Hopefully, the game and call will be reviewed by the IHSAA and consideration for assignment to this level of competition be better considered in the future.

Lady Raiders dealt hard times on hardwood in their extended season run

Coach Brian Sample’s South Ripley Lady Raiders extended-season, Regional-title hopes came to an abrupt end following their Regional championship game action at the IHSAA Class 2A Paoli High School hosted Regional on Saturday night, Feb. 11, as the Eastern (Pekin) Lady Musketeers were allowed to advance to semi-state by a final Regional championship game tally of 54-43. This loss denied the opportunity for Lady Raider seniors Hannah Schwarte and Mackenzie Black of earning Regional championship status during their South Ripley basketball careers.

Lady Raider Morgan Peetz GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
South Ripley Lady Raider sophomore Morgan Peetz (3) speeds past her would-be defender to put in the layup before heading to the charity stripe for a free throw attempt where she cashed in on the old-fashioned three point play.

The Lady Raiders earned passage to the 8 p.m. championship match following their opening game victory over the Forest Park Lady Rangers by 10 points, 51-41. The 2017 IHSAA Class 2A South Ripley Lady Raider final overall season record count concluded at 23-5, after being stalled with the round of 12 teams remaining. Coach Sample’s Lady Raiders however, enjoyed truly loyal fan support in their pursuit of the Regional title as 40-plus rooms were reserved by their fans the night before Regional action commenced.

Game two of the Paoli hosted Regional resulted in the Eastern (Pekin) Lady Musketeers advancing to the title match to face the Lady Raiders via their 55-42, 13 point afternoon victory over the South Knox Lady Spartans. The score totally inconsistent with the contest, as a 10-point edge by South Knox with just four minutes remaining disappeared for Eastern Pekin to take control and claim victory. The championship match between South Ripley Lady Raiders and Eastern Pekin Lady Musketeers found knock-down, drag-out action early on allowing Eastern Pekin to get off to a huge head start that proved irrecoverable by the Lady Raiders. How unrealistic is it to find any team that through their defense alone can hold South Ripley to 4 points in a quarter and 11 points in a half...that's how ridiculous the officiating was. Occasionally, little spurts would show some chance, but far too often, the positive would be whistled down and the Lady Musketeers added to the Lady Raider misery.

The Lady Raiders and coaches Brian Samples and Bob Meyer have much to be proud of and look forward to with most of the team underclassmen now having some solid experience under their belts from this year’s competitions.

See page 5 to read stats for both teams.