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MaryBeth Baymen not only shined on offense, but she helped shut down Franklin Monroe's potent offensive attack.
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Team
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CCC
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ALL
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Covington
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11-0
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18-2
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Franklin Monroe
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7-1
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11-2
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Arcanum
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3-1
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7-3
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Tri-Village
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8-2
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11-8
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National Trail
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2-1
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5-2
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Twin Valley South
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2-1
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5-3
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Bradford
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1-2
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2-5
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Ansonia
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1-3
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2-7
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Bethel
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0-3
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2-5
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Mississinawa Valley
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0-3
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2-4
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Tri-County North
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0-3
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1-8
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Newton
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0-8
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0-13
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January 22, 2003 – PITSBURG
It's not very often that a high school girls basketball game has as much hype as the Covington vs Franklin Monroe game has had. Considering the contest was between two small school programs, the hype and anticipation leading up to the match-up made the game even that much more special.
Both teams were deserving of the attention as each came into the contest unbeaten in the CCC. Both teams also came in with only one defeat on their records, with Covington at 12-1 and Franklin Monroe sporting an 11-1 record.
In the end, the game lived up to the hype and Covington took their place alone at the top of the conference standings with a 52-45 win.
"This is a big, big win," said a delighted Covington coach Chris Besecker. "The girls stepped up when they needed to in the end."
Nobody stepped up more for the Lady Buccs than senior point guard, Heather Fields. Fields, who scored a game-high 18 points, canned 9 of 10 free throws in the final 2:00 to seal the game for Covington.
"Heather stepping up and hitting those free throws was huge," said Besecker. "We needed to get the ball in her hands at the end and we did just that. I told her once she got the ball to hang on to it. She did and when she was fouled, she came through for us."
Covington got on the scoreboard first as Michelle Meyer drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Franklin Monroe kept the game close, but Covington managed to hold a slim 13-10 lead at the end of the first.
After a MaryBeth Bayman free throw to open the second, Franklin Monroe went on a 6-2 run to tie the score at 16-16 on two straight 3-pointers.
Covington bounced back to close out the first half on a 7-2 run to take a 23-18 halftime lead.
Covington built its largest lead of the game 34-25 midway through the third. After a Courtney Oswalt layup, Bayman stole the inbounds pass and converted the gift into points, which led to a 36-28 Covington lead at the end of the stanza.
"MaryBeth (Bayman) played very well defensively," complemented coach Besecker. "We put her on (Abby) Davenport and MaryBeth shut her down pretty well. Davenport had something like 36 3-pointers coming into tonight and Bayman never allowed her to get off many shots from behind the arch. That was very big for us."
Looking to take the game over in the final period, the Lady Buccs became their own worst enemies by turning the ball over. Franklin Monroe took advantage with an 8-1 to cut Covington's lead to 37-36 with 4:00 to go.
Moments later, Michelle Meyer canned her second 3-pointer of the game to push Covington's lead to 40-36. Franklin Monroe battled back for three straight points of their own to close within 40-39 with under 2:00 to go.
Covington then put the ball into Fields' hands and walked away with the 52-45 win.
Leading the way for Covington was Heather Fields with 18 points, Michelle Meyer with 13 points and MaryBeth Bayman with 11.
Franklin Monoroe was led by Elaina Kakatolis with 12 points and Dana Halderman with 11.
Covington improves to 13-1 on the season and 7-0 in the CCC. Franklin Monore drops to 11-2 and 7-1 in the conference.
The Lady Buccs look to build on the conference lead as they host Newton on Thursday, January 29.
Scoring by Quarters:
Buccs...........13......23......36......52
Jets..............10......18......28......45
Covington Scoring:
Heather Fields – 18
Michelle Meyer – 13
MaryBeth Bayman – 11
Meredith Besecker – 4
Audrey Doseck – 3
Caitlin Sargent – 3
Arcanum Scoring:
Elaina Kakatolis – 12
Dana Halderman – 11
Abby Davenport – 9
Courtney Oswalt – 8
Melissa Vance – 5
