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| Andrea Meyer came up huge with a game-high 22 points to lead Covington. |
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| Alex Christian fights her way toward the basket in the Lady Buccs' win. |
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Team
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CCC
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ALL
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Miami East
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12-0
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17-3
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Covington
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11-1
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17-3
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Arcanum
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9-3
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12-8
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Franklin Monroe
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8-4
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10-9
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Tri-County North
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8-4
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12-8
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Bethel
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7-5
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8-11
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Mississinawa Valley
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6-6
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10-9
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Tri-Village
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4-7
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9-10
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Ansonia
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4-8
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6-13
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Twin Valley South
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2-9
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6-13
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Newton
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2-10
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3-17
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Bradford
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1-10
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3-16
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| National Trail |
1-10 |
2-17 |
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March 3, 2007 – VANDALIA
The Covington Lady Buccs overcame a gutsy Russia team to capture their first District Championship since the 2003-04 season, 41-32 at Vandalia on Saturday.
“I can’t put into words how great this feels,” senior Andrea Meyer said as she stared down at the gold medal around her neck. “I really can’t tell you what I’m feeling right now. It is just incredible.”
In the four tournament wins for Covington, all four opponents were teams the Lady Buccs had defeated earlier in the season. But defeating Russia for a second time was no easy task as the young Lady Raiders were much improved since the 50-32 defeat at the hands of Covington on December 21st.
It appeared as though Covington was well on its way to another double-digit win as the Lady Buccs connected on five first half treys to build a 22-12 half time lead. Three of those treys came from Andrea Meyer and two from Ashley Johnson.
All the while the Lady Buccs' defense harassed and frustrated Russia, holding the Lady Raiders to just three points in the first quarter and 12 for the half.
Meyer came up big for Covington in the first half by scoring 13 of her game-high 22 points.
Things became too close for comfort for Covington as Russia found the hot hand in the third period, outscoring Covington 16-8.
Junior Katie Patty started things off with a short jumper, but Meyer scored on a pair of baskets to keep Covington on top by double digits.
Sarah Patty scored on a lay-up, followed by a Katie Patty bucket to cut the margin to 26-18.
Covington responded with a Chelsea Tebbe lay-up, but Covington wouldn't be able to find the bottom of the net for nearly 4:00.
In the meantime, Russia canned two straight three-pointers, one each by Madison Griesdorn and Hillary Monnin. The Lady Raiders then cut the margin to 28-26 on a Sarah Petty jumper to force a Covington timeout with 3:22 left in the frame.
The Lady Buccs received a huge basket by Alex Christian, who forced the turnover after a Russia rebound.
But Sarah Petty closed out the third with another jumper to make the score 30-28 with one quarter to play for the District Championship.
Covington gave itself a little breathing room on its first two possessions of the final period as Alex Christian scored on a runner and Andrea Meyer sliced through for an easy lay-up.
Russia wouldn't go quietly as Monnin hit on two free throws and then followed with a jumper to close the gap to 34-32.
But that would be as close as the Lady Raiders would get the rest of the evening as Covington closed out the contest by scoring the final seven points of the game.
First, LauriKate Bayman hit on a 10-footer. Alex Christian then canned a jumper and Andrea Meyer converted on 3 of 4 free throws in the final minute to make the final score 41-32.
“I thought that was really big that they never took the lead,” Besecker said. “I know they had at least one shot for the lead. Andrea (Meyer) and Alex (Christian) made some big shots down the stretch.”
Meyer, who played one of her best games in a big-time atmosphere, led all players with 22 points and finished as the lone Covington player in double figures.
“My dad (Jim Meyer) used to be Troy’s coach,” Meyer said. “This was sort of like a second home. I would shoot around down here and I always felt comfortable here.”
Alex Christian hit on 8 timely points, while Ashley Johnson scored 6 points on two treys.
“There is no question this team has exceeded all expectations,” Besecker said. “To lose a player of Mitch’s (Michelle Meyer) caliber... a 20-point scorer. And come back down to district and win. We don’t have much depth. We have girls playing 32 minutes. It is just a tribute to the kids.”
Covington improves to 21-3 on the season and heads to the regional semifinals.
Scoring by Quarters:
Covington .........8.......22.......30.......41
Russia ...............3.......12.......28.......32
Covington Scoring:
Andrea Meyer - 22
Alex Christian - 8
Ashley Johnson - 6
Chelsea Tebbe - 3
LauriKate Bayman - 2
Russia Scoring:
Hillary Monnin - 10
Katie Petty - 6
Sarah Petty - 6
Madison Griesdorn - 5
Dee Rosenbeck - 3
Roni Homan - 2
Three-Point Scoring:
Covington: Andrea Meyer (3), Ashley Johnson (2)
Russia: Hillary Monnin (1), Madison Griesdorn (1), Dee Rosenbeck (1)
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