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Kentner hits key shots in win against Coldwater |
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Tuesday, 13 February 2007 |
 Wapakoneta?s Devon Golden drives to the basket while being bumped by a Coldwater defender Monday night in non-league girls varsity basketball action. (Staff photo/ Bryan Craft)
By PHIL McLEAN
Staff Writer
With a Coldwater Cavalier’s hand in face, Wapakoneta Redskin Lindsey Kentner hit a long 3-point shot with 3.4 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 52, and then she hit a jumper from the right wing in the last 7 seconds of the overtime period to break a 58-all tie.
The 60-58 non-league win by the Redskins varsity girls basketball team improves their record to 16-3 on the season, tying the record for most wins in a season set by the 1986-87 team. The Cavaliers, a member of the Midwest Athletic Conference, fall to 7-11 on the season with the loss.
Redskins coach Brad Rex said the winning shot is a play set up for his senior guard
“We ran our basic clearout for Lindsey,” Rex said. “She waited until 11 seconds to make he move and hit a perfect jumper from the wing for the win.”
Kentner was the only Redskin in double figures Monday with 34 points, nearly matching her modern school scoring record of 38 points. She scored 29 points against Coldwater last season.
“We talked about Lindsey,” Coldwater coach Nick Fisher said. “If you want to tie the game, give the ball to Lindsey. If you want to win the game, give the ball to Lindsey.”
Kentner and freshman Heidi Schlegel set up the winning shot in the overtime. Kentner hit a pair of free throws to give Wapakoneta a 56-55 lead. Schlegel gave the Redskins a 3-point lead when she missed her free throw during a one-and-one situation but grabbed the rebound for the put-back.
Coldwater’s Tasha Stucke cut the lead to 58-56 with a free throw, and Kendra Robbins tied with a 58 with the clock approaching the minute mark.
“I though we played better in the overtime,” Rex said. “But I thought we stood around against their 2-3 extended zone.”
During the course of the game Rex said he felt the Cavaliers 2-3 zone gave his squad trouble, especially rebounding the ball.
“We gave Coldwater way too many offensive rebounds,” Rex said. “It shows we need to work on our skills in close games.”
Coldwater entered the game having won four of their last six games, led by Robbins, a 6-foot forward heading for the University of Findlay in the fall.
Robbins led the Cavaliers with 25 points and 9 rebounds on the night.
During the course of the game, the lead changed hands 12 with the game coming down to the closing seconds.
Cavaliers senior guard Brooke Gross gave Coldwater a 52-49 lead with 49 seconds remaining in regulation when she hit two free throws. With 15 seconds, the Redskins fouled Kara Uhlenhake to send her to the free-throw line. Uhlenhake, who had earlier given Coldwater the lead, missed her free throw and Wapakoneta rebounded the ball.
“We didn’t deserve to be there,” Rex said, “but we knew we had the ball in the right hands.”
Kentner dribbled down the right side, passed the ball to Christie Steinke, who returned it right away for Kentner to hit the trey to tie the game.
“We found a way to win,” Rex said.
“Both teams played with great effort,” Fisher said.
The Redskins junior varsity improved to 14-5 on the year with a 49-38 win against the Coldwater junior varsity. Katie Greve paced the Redskins with 15 points. Emily Lowery contributed 10.
Wapak is scheduled to wind up the regular season at St. Henry today. The junior varsity game to start at 6 p.m. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 February 2007 )
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