Madison Squeaks Out Win
Germantown, OH (February 17, 2004)— The Valley View girls basketball team finished their season off with a one point loss to Madison last Tuesday. Steve Dickson was pleased however with the overall season.
"We had a 12-8 season and that's pretty good. We had a wonderful season. We had a five game winning streak and then a six game winning streak. They're a fun group of kids and they love to play basketball. Of course we would've liked to end the season with a win, but overall the girls did great," Dickson said.
Madison opened the game with a nine point run before Kayla Kerns hit a free throw and Michelle Moore scored. The quarter ended 3-9, but the Spartans were now warmed up and ready for some action.
"We were down 9-0 in the first quarter, but then they defensively picked up the intensity and went all the way in the second quarter. The girls started playing basketball," Dickson said.
Brittany Hasty opened the second quarter with a basket, but Madison came back with two baskets of their own. Then Hasty hit a pair of free throws before she scored again. With 4:04 remaining before the half Madison scored, but Hasty remained on fire and matched Madison"s basket. Powers made the score 13-15 before Hasty made a free throw. Smith finished the quarter with a basket, which pulled the Spartans in the lead by one point.
Madison opened the third quarter scoring, but Powers answered back with a pair of free throws and a basket. The Mohawks hit a basket before Kerns and Moore made back-to-back shots. The score became 27-26 after Madison added five points to their score, but Stacey Strayer stormed back with a three-pointer and pulled the Spartans back in the lead by a point. Madison matched Strayer's three points with a free throw and basket, but Moore tied the score with her basket.
Madison pushed harder in the fourth quarter, but all eyes were on Strayer. After Madison hit a three-point shot, Strayer matched that shot and tied the score again. The fans roared, but then Madison hit two back-to-back baskets. Sara Smith scored, but then Madison added another three points from the foul line. With the Spartans down by five, Strayer came out and took care of the ball, as she hit another three-point shot and a basket making the score even once again.
"Stacie hit two three-pointers from NBA range and brought us back in the game," Dickson noted.
Strayer got fouled with :26 seconds remaining and made one of her two shots, but then Madison was fouled and the game ended after her second shot slipped through the net making the score 40-41.
"They're (Madison) a good team and they made their free throws in the end. What we needed to do was just hold on to the basketball, but I'm really happy with all the girls. They've worked extremely hard and I'm proud of them and our 12-8 record," Dickson replied.
The Lady Spartans have been giving fans intense games all year and although they fell to Madison it was definitely a great basketball game.
"We didn't do a good job putting the ball in the basket. Offensively we didn't have it going, but defensively they had it going," added Dickson.
Strayer finished the night with 12 points, while Hasty tacked on nine points all in the second quarter.
"Brittany was out-manned, but did a great job. The girl she was up against is 6'4" and she was always in the box with her," Dickson said.
The Lady Spartans have their first tournament game on Tuesday against the winners of the Little Miami vs. Edgewood game.
"We've got to be ready for pressure. They're going to run around and mostly do full court. Little Miami beat Bellbrook and Waynesville and they have a good team," Dickson said.
"There are seven freshman, five sophomores and one senior on the team, so not only are they going to be tough this year, but they will only improve over the next couple years," Dickson added.
Dickson prepared the girls by paying close attention to some the little things that the girls have to pull together in order to beat a team like Little Miami.
"We'll be working on a lot of things. There are a lot of things we'll be working on, like rebounding, offensive rebounds, our patience on offense and moving around more. The little things is what wins games for us," Dickson said.
Leading the floor for the Spartans is Strayer with her averages of 13 points a game, 3.83 assists, 5.39 rebounds, 5.78 steals and 1.78 blocked shots.
Another top player for the Spartans is junior Powers who is averaging nine points a game and four rebounds. The Spartans are an all in one team and every player effects the outcome of the game.
