Postseason: Flames, Eagles earn tournament victories
By Chris Miles
Sports Editor
One of the biggest drawbacks to the start the Central District basketball tournament is the number of lopsided early-round games in favor of the highest seeded teams.
These games usually mean a talented squad has to find some type of motivation to get itself ready to play.
The No. 3 seed Shekinah Christian girls found a way to motivate from within Saturday in easily dispatching Madison Christian 61-26 in a first round D-IV contest.
“We felt we should win the game,” Flames coach Rod Yoder said. “I felt like the girls handled the situation of playing against ourselves, making sure we do what we do well and they came out and took care of business.
The Flames were sharp, efficient and focused, three characteristics needed when facing an overmatched opponent.
Annelise Rohrer and Ashley Gingerich finished with 16 points apiece, while Janelle Roby (nine) and Bridget Troyer (eight) also had solid games.
With the win the Flames (17-6) advance to a second round date with Northside Christian Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Jonathan Alder.
“There’s no question we know where we have our advantages against them,” Yoder said. “We know what we should be able to do with them and it makes it simpler to prepare.”
Madison-Plains 64,
Heath 49
The seventh-seeded Golden Eagles (16-6) took care of business in downing visiting Heath Saturday in the opening round of the D-III tournament.
Macy McCollister, Abby Finney and Casey Knisely all scored 15 points in the win, while Abby Ames added 10.
The team advances to a second round match-up with visiting West Jefferson Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Eagles won the regular season game between the two 38-28 just before Christmas.
Bishop Hartley 64,
London 23
The Red Raiders (4-19) season came to an end against the No. 3 seeded Hawks Saturday in the D-II tournament.
Hayley Whitt had a team-high 10 points in the loss.
Granville 61
Jonathan Alder 45
The Pioneers (6-14) also had their season come to an end with a D-II tournament first-round defeat at No. 7 seed Granville Saturday.
Senior Mollie Arnott led the way with 11 points for Alder.
Wrestling
Jonathan Alder advanced seven wrestlers and London four more from the D-II sectional to this weekend’s D-II district at Heath. West Jefferson will take six wrestlers and Madison-Plains four more to the D-III district meet at Philo.
The top four in each weight class will advance to the state tournament.
Bowling
COLUMBUS — The Alder boys (3,952) finished second at the sectional at Western Bowl Saturday and advanced as a team to this weekend’s district tournament at HP Lanes. Madison-Plains’ Adam Hayes and Amanda Dradt also finished high enough to qualify for the district as individuals.
