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Senior, Heather Fields has been the spark to the Lady Buccs offense all season.
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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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February 16, 2004 – NEW PARIS
Being a senior in high school is always a special time. Covington girls basketball coach Chris Besecker will have a fond memory of both his daughters senior basketball seasons.
His youngest daughter Meredith, a senior, and the Lady Buccs wrapped up the Cross County Conference title with a 66-34 victory over National Trail Monday night in a makeup game from earlier this season.
It capped an 11-0 campaign in the CCC and an 18-2 regular season record.
"The last time (the Buccs won the title outright) was 1998 when my other daughter (Stacy) was a senior," Besecker said with a smile. "It is great...especially for the seniors. They have worked hard for this. It is their first chance to celebrate a championship since junior high."
Senior guard Heather Fields echoed those sentiments.
"Winning the conference is always a big goal," she said. "It is (sweet). Especially for the seniors. Definitely, this was a goal from the start of the season."
Now the game-weary Buccs have a little time to rest before Saturday's tournament opener with Mississinawa Valley at 5 p.m. at Tipp City High School. In the past nine days, Covington has played a Division III top seed (Miami East) two Division IV seeds (Tri-Village, Jackson Center) and the Blazers.
"I am giving them the day off tomorrow," Besecker said. "They have earned it. If this past 10 days doesn't get us ready for the tournament, I don't know what will."
Fields scored 10 points in the opening quarter as Covington jumped out to a 25-12 first quarter lead, before Trail cut it to 35-25 at halftime.
Anyone familiar with Covington basketball, knows what Besecker felt about the first half defensive effort. True, the Lady Buccs forced 13 turnovers, but there was the point total.
"We can't be giving up points like that," Besecker said. "We were coming off a tough, physical game Saturday. But, when you are playing for a conference championship, you have to be able to step it up."
The Lady Buccs got the message.
"He got on us at halftime," Fields said. "We weren't doing a good job. We knew we had to step it up."
With MaryBeth Bayman harassing the Trail point guard, Michelle Meyer stepping in front of more than a handful of passes and Fields scooping up every loose ball in sight, the Lady Buccs overwhelmed the Blazers in the second half.
The Lady Buccs forced 12 turnovers in the third quarter alone and when Besecker removed the starters with 4:15 to go in the game, Covington had outscored National Trail 26-2 in the second half.
"They had one basket when I took the starters out," Besecker said. "The girls stepped it up the second half. Mitch (Michelle Meyer) really cranked it up with the steals."
Meyer made three 3-point shots and led the Lady Buccs with 19 points. Fields scored 14 and Bayman added 10. Covington outrebounded Trail 29-25. Fields had six, while Audrey Doseck pulled down five. Besecker, Bayman and Caitlin Sargent all grabbed four.
Covington was 25 of 65 from the floor for 38 percent and 13 of 22 from the line for 59 percent. National Trail was 15 of 36 from the floor for 42 percent and four of seven from the line for 57 percent.
Covington had 13 turnovers to Trail's 32.
Now it is time for a well-earned day off.
"We are not practicing tomorrow," Fields, who is known for sacrificing her body for the sake of the team, said. "It will give our bodies a chance to heal."
– By Rob Kiser, Piqua Daily Call
BOXSCORE:
Covington (66)
Fields 7-0-14, M. Meyer 6-4-19, Bayman 4-2-10, Doseck 2-4-8, Besecker 1-0-2, Sargent 2-2-6, Kuharik 1-0-2, Plank 1-0-2, Johnson 0-1-1, Furrow 1-0-2, Christian 0-0-0.
Totals: 25-13-66.
National Trail (34)
Kyle 3-0-6, Troutwine 6-2-14, Gibbon 0-0-0, Armstrong 0-0-0, Halderman 5-2-12, McElhaney 1-0-2, Doolis 0-0-0, Fryman 0-0-0, Bachman 0-0-0, Egers 0-0-0.
Totals: 15-4-34.
3-point field goals:
Covington: M. Meyer (3).
Score by quarters
Covington........20.....35.....51.....66
National Trail....12.....25.....27.....34
Records: Covington 18-2 (11-0).
