Believe in yourselves

This week’s newspaper coverage of  the Fort Recovery High School girls basketball team’s road to the state finals has included letters from athletics director Barb Sautbine, former coach Diane McClung and Kelli Bihn, the wife of Indians’ coach Doug Bihn. Today, it’s my turn.
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The first game I ever covered for The Commercial Review was the Fort Recovery girls basketball team’s regional semifinal game in 2001.
The Saturday before I started at the paper, the Indians had upset No. 1 Marion Local in the district championship at Coldwater. In my first game they rolled to a 71-46 victory over Russia, but they lost two days later, 42-40, to Jackson Center, the dream of a trip to the state finals coming up just short.
Ten years later, here we are, in Columbus, the dream realized.
You’ve earned an opportunity all teams hope for, but few can achieve. And there is no shortage of reasons to believe you can continue this amazing run. Here are just a few:
•Kelly Nietfeld’s fight — She’s battled a back problem this year, and twisted an ankle in practice this week, but none of it will slow her down as she battles the taller Rockets in the paint today.
•Kylie Kahlig’s versatility — She has a unique combination of speed and strength. She can run like a sprinter, but is also a force underneath the basket.
•Olivia Schwieterman’s defense — She must love the color orange. Her eyes lock onto the basketball, and never let it go.
•Kendra Brunswick’s confidence — No matter how she’s shooting through the course of a game, good or bad, Kendra is never afraid to take the big 3-pointer that could change the game.
•Abby Huelskamp’s energy — She gives the team everything she has, every second that she is on the floor.
•Olivia Thien’s tenacity — Despite struggling in the regional semifinal, she remained persistent. It paid off last week when she nailed key shot after key shot to help send the Indians to the state finals.
•Holly Brunswick’s quickness — She can get to the basket any time she wants against any defender. No one has stopped her yet.
•Nicole Dilworth’s overall game — She does the things that sometimes don’t show up in the scorebook, but are so important to helping the Indians win. She’s the motor that makes this team go.
You all have great individual qualities. But what has made this group even more fun to watch, what has taken it to a different level, is the way it has gelled together.
Truly no one cares who scores, assists or grabs the rebound, as long as the job gets done. Your focus has been on the team, and the goal of reaching the state finals.
You have had an amazing year, and I feel lucky that I was able to witness your two most-exciting games of the regular season — both against schools from Delphos.
The first came in December, when the Indians were locked in a tie with Jefferson. Schwieterman had been fouled at the overtime buzzer, and stood alone at the line with one chance to win the game.
The junior’s free-throw attempt bounced around the rim before finally falling through for her only point of the game, giving Fort Recovery the victory. As her teammates mobbed the floor, Schwieterman leapt in the air and threw her arms toward the rafters in a celebration of pure joy.
The second was in the final game of the regular season, when the Tribe hosted St. John’s.
Again the game went to overtime, and again Fort Recovery had a chance to win in the final seconds. This time the ball went to Holly Brunswick, who drove down the left side of the lane and hit a left-handed lay-up with 3.6 seconds remaining.
After Brunswick stole the ensuing  inbound pass and time ran out there was another emotional celebration, as Holly’s sisters Kendra and Marissa, also seniors, wrapped her in a tearful hug at mid-court.
Those moments were priceless. And this weekend offers you two more chances to create basketball memories you will never forget.
Enjoy the ride, but stay focused on the goal. Believe in yourselves and your teammates. Play the game with the hustle and heart you have displayed all season.
Go win a state championship.[[In-content Ad]]