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| Andrea Meyer cans a jumper in the Lady Buccs' win over Miami East. |
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Team
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CCC
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ALL
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Franklin Monroe
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11-0
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15-5
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Covington
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10-1
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20-4
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Tri-Village
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9-2
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16-5
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Arcanum
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8-3
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17-4
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Mississinawa Valley
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7-4
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10-11
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Twin Valley South
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6-5
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9-11
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National Trail
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4-6
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7-11
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Bradford
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3-8
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7-11
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Ansonia
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3-8
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4-15
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Bethel
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2-7
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5-12
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Tri-County North
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1-9
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3-15
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Newton
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0-10
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0-19
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January 29, 2005 – CASSTOWN
by Rob Kiser, Piqua Daily Call
It was vintage Covington girls basketball. And an uncharacteristic performance by the Miami East girls.
The result was a 48-40 Covington victory in a matchup of two of the best girls basketball teams in Miami County.
"You talk about a big momentum builder," Covington coach Chris Besecker said. "To beat a number one seed right before the tournament. Definitely (it is a big win)."
Miami East coach Chad Widener was as disappointed as Besecker was happy.
"It is out of character for us not to come out and play with great intensity from the opening jump," he said. "Yes, Kenton Ridge was a big win Thursday...but this was a big game too. I was most disappointed with our lack of intensity on offense. We didn't do a good job moving the ball. But, some of that has to do with Covington's defense. Give them credit. They play very good defense."
While East stepped up its game in the second half after falling behind 22-11 midway through the second quarter, the closest the Lady Vikings got was 24-20 when Danielle Denlinger opened the second half with a three.
Covington took a 35-28 lead to the fourth quarter and held on for the win without attempting a field goal in the final stanza. The Lady Buccs converted 13 of 17 free throws in the fourth quarter to overcome some turnovers and keep East from overcoming them.
"I was surprised they started fouling us as early as they did," Besecker said.
And it wasn't so much that the Vikings fouled, but who they fouled.
Michelle Meyer, who suffered a thigh bruise Thursday, was questionable for Saturday's game. But she shook off the injury and was money in the bank from the line in the fourth quarter, making 12 of 14 attempts, including seven of eight in the last 1:19 to erase any Viking comeback hopes.
"They did a good job (forcing East to foul Meyer)," Widener said. "That made it tough for us to come back."
From the start, Covington's 1-3-1 zone frustrated the Lady Vikings.
While, East jumped out to an early 5-1 lead, by the middle of the second quarter the Lady Buccs were in front 22-11.
"We hadn't played a 1-3-1 since I think the Arcanum game," Besecker said. "The girls just came out and jumped all over that at the start of the game."
Another key for the Buccs were key contributions from other players to take the pressure off Michelle Meyer.
Andrea Meyer had seven points in the second quarter when the Lady Buccs opened the double digit lead and Caitlin Sargent, Alex Christian and Michelle Barhorst were able to get free inside for easy looks that resulted in either baskets, or being fouled and going to the line in the first half.
"We have been having trouble getting the ball inside," Besecker said. "So, that was good to see."
In the third quarter, Ashley Johnson had two big baskets on penetration to the basket when the Lady Vikings were making a run and Covington was struggling to score.
"Ashley (Johnson) had some big baskets for us in the second half," Besecker said.
To East's credit, they finished the first half with momentum and never let up in a valiant comeback effort in the second half.
"We did play with more intensity," Widener said. "But, sometimes it is hard to step on the gas pedal when you don't play the whole game that way. Does that mean I don't think the girls will come out the next game playing with intensity? No, I know they will. This is a great group of kids. We will learn from this game and come out the next game with a high level of intensity."
Michelle Meyer finished with 26 points, including making 15 of 18 free throw attempts. Johnson and Andrea Meyer each scored seven, while Caitlin Sargent was huge on the boards all game, with 14 rebounds.
Denlinger led Miami East with 13 points, while Katrina Kirk and Allie Peterson each had nine points and seven rebounds.
Covington was 13 of 33 from the floor for 39 percent and 20 of 27 from the line for 74 percent. Miami East was 13 of 49 from the floor for 27 percent and 11 of 14 from the line for 79 percent.
Covington won the battle of the boards 28-23 and had 14 turnovers to Miami East's nine.
Miami East, who is 15-3 after having an 11-game winning streak snapped, travels to Greenon Thursday. Covington, 15-3, will host National Trail Thursday.
BOXSCORE
Covington (48)
Kuharik 0-0-0, Johnson 2-3-7, M. Meyer 5-15-26, Sargent 2-0-4, Christian 1-1-3, A.
Meyer 3-0-7, Barhorst 0-1-1, Tebbe 0-0-0. Totals: 13-20-48.
Miami East (40)
Miller 1-2-4, Kulyn 2-1-5, Kirk 4-1-9, Peterson 2-5-9, D. Denlinger 4-2-13, Motter
0-0-0, Hart 0-0-0, Beam 0-0-0. Totals: 13-11-40.
3-point field goals – Covington: M. Meyer, A. Meyer. Miami East: D. Denlinger (3).
Score by quarters
Covington ......11......24......35......48
Miami East ......9......17......28......40
Records: Covington 15-3, Miami East 15-3.
