3-12-10
By CHRIS McSWIGGIN & BENJAMIN DEER
The Lady Yellowjackets, who took thrilled fans all the way to the New York State girls’ basketball finals last season, are at it again.
After winning the Section 5 title against Lansing in Binghamton last Friday, March 5, the OHS team will be playing the state quarterfinals in its hometown this weekend: Against South Jefferson at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at Hartwick College’s Lambros Arena.
“I’ll definitely have butterflies before the game,” said junior forward Erin Wolsterholme, “but I just can’t wait to get out there and play.”
“Defense and rebounding have been our strength all year long,” said head Coach Bob Zeh, looking ahead in a post-game interview at the War Veterans Memorial in Binghamton.
One reason for the butterflies may be South Jeff’s 6-foot center.
LADIES/From A-1
But, remember, Oneonta’s Val Ridgway is 6-foot-1.
The Lansing game was a defensive slugfest throughout. Lansing had the 16-14 advantage at halftime, which explains in itself just how much of a struggle both teams had on offense. The story of this game, however, can be told not just through defense, but heart.
“I thought Wolstenholme was done after the injury” said Coach Zeh. The entire arena shared his thoughts after Oneonta’s starting guard went down after getting a knee to the thigh in the second quarter.
Wolstenholme, who could barely put enough pressure on the injured leg to walk off the court, ended up being the hero....something you only see in movies.
“We have got to give a lot of credit to our trainer Andy Spence” said Zeh, “he took care of her, iced her, wrapped her, stretched her out.” Zeh asked her if she thought she could go, and of course –with the heart of a lion to battle through the pain –she said yes.
Wolstenholme would end up scoring the teams final four points, including a lay up that tied the game with 10 seconds to go. She got a little help from Kate Bredin, a senior, who hit a big three and free-throw late in the game to seal the deal.
Bredin, arguably the smallest player in the floor, was all over the court in the first half with multiple steals, rebounds and even a few blocks. Her efforts – as well as those from her team – helped to secure Oneonta’s 30-27 victory and date with another state tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment