Web posted
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Strong third quarter lifts defending 1A champs in playoff opener
By MIKE JOSEPH
Traveler Correspondent
SOUTH HAVEN -- Opening the regional playoffs, the message is clear: "Win or go home."
With that sense of urgency, the South Haven Lady Cardinals opened defense of their 2007 State Championship with a 56-35 win over the Norwich Lady Eagles Tuesday night.
Defense was the key for South Haven, turning a three-point halftime lead into a rout in the third quarter. The Cardinals forced eight Eagle turnovers in the period. Combine the stifling defense with an offense that began to click after a slow start and South Haven turned a 17-14 halftime lead into a 44-20 bulge heading into the fourth quarter.
"We came out in the second half and ran our spread offense," said South Haven coach David Hughes. "It's a series of picks in the post and we were able to get the ball inside."
Senior Beth Davidson and junior Jordyn Richards sparked the second half surge inside for the Cardinals accounting for nearly half of the South Haven points in the third quarter. Richards converted back-to-back three point plays midway through the quarter.
"Jordyn (Richards) can score when she puts her mind to it," said Hughes. Richards scored all 10 of her points in the second half.
South Haven opened the contest with a defensive flurry. The Cardinals recorded ten steals in the first period, but only led 9-2 heading into the second quarter. Norwich was held scoreless until Sandra Gardner scored inside with less than a minute to go in the quarter.
The Cardinals increased the lead to 14-4 with 5:29 left in the half, highlighted by a Tina Clausen three-pointer. Paige Goebel led a 10-1 run for the Eagles, scoring six points, including a field goal inside that cut the Cardinal lead to 15-14 at the 42-second mark. Davidson gave the Cardinals the three point halftime lead on an up-and-under move as time expired.
The Cardinal seniors led the way in their final home game. Clausen scored a game-high 15 points while Davidson poured in 14 to go along with five rebounds. Goebel led the Eagles with 12 points.
The victory moves the Cardinals into the semi-final round of the regionals. South Haven (14-7) will meet second-seeded Hutchinson-Central Christian (18-2) Friday night at Argonia.
"They (Hutchinson-Central Christian) have a couple of six-foot sisters that we will have to contend with," said Hughes. "Their record speaks for itself coming out of the Heart of America league. We have our work cut out for us."
NORWICH 2 12 6 15 -- 35
SOUTH HAVEN 9 8 27 12 -- 56
Norwich -- Goebel 12, Klausmeyer 5, Boydston 4, M. Poe 4, Gardner 4, Turner 3, Rust 2, L. Poe 1.
South Haven -- Clausen 15, Davidson 14, Richards 10, Curl 4, Ti.Cook 4, McConnell 3, Dvorak 2, Bryant 2, Tr. Cook 2.
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