FR heads to 'New' district (02/28/07)

FORT RECOVERY - The district tournament at Coldwater brings two teams with "new" in their name. But they're not new faces to the Indians.

Fort Recovery's girls basketball team takes on Midwest Athletic Conference rival New Bremen in the first of two district semifinal games Thursday at 6:15 p.m.

If they get past the Cardinals, another MAC foe, New Knoxville, will likely await in Saturday's finale. The Rangers (17-4) will be the favorite in their semifinal game Thursday against Upper Scioto Valley.

Seniors Vicki Roessner, Tiff Gaerke and Abby Niekamp all said the key to earning a potential rematch with New Knoxville, the team which handed them their first loss of the year after an 11-0 start, will be to stop New Bremen's fast break.

Topping the Cardinals (12-10), who won their sectional title at Bath with wins of 82-27 over Lima Temple Christian and 67-45 over Ada, is no easy task.

The two teams were tied at 36 during the regular season meeting, the first of three games missed by senior Holly Stein because of a foot injury, before Division IV No. 6 Fort Recovery finished the game with a 13-5 run.

The Cardinals are led by Stacy Timmerman, who averages 10.4 points per game and shoots nearly 50 percent from the field, and LeAnn Topp (2.4 steals per game).

"We think the last time they really hurt us with getting the ball out and pushing it down the court and making easy baskets," said Jeff Roessner, watching tape of just such a situation prior to practice Tuesday. "They scored 12 points out of their 41 off of break situations, and they missed three other lay-ups ... We have to do a better job of containing their break and getting back on defense."

If the Indians can accomplish that task, they look forward to getting another shot at New Knoxville.

Fort Recovery seemed to have the Rangers' number a year ago, handing them their only two losses of the year - one during the regular season and one in the sectional championship.

They finished with identical 7-2 MAC records this year.

The Tribe players said they not only want revenge for the regular-season defeat this year, but for volleyball as well. New Knoxville eliminated Gaerke, the middle hitter, Niekamp, the setter, Roessner, the libero, and their teammates in this season's volleyball sectional championship.

"We didn't think we particularly moved well offensively," said Jeff Roessner of the basketball loss to the Rangers. "We thought we were pretty stagnant. We got tired in that game physically, and tired mentally ... and just didn't perform down the stretch.

"You have to be able to go out there and play with more intensity and smarter than what we did the first time."

Another focus for the Indians in the district tournament will be to cut down on their personal fouls. They sent Celina to the free-throw line 37 times in the regular-season finale, and Marion Local shot 20 foul shots in Saturday's sectional championship game.

"I think the key for us if we get a chance to play Knoxville again is to really, really make sure we don't get in foul trouble," said Roessner, an issue which was also addressed by Stein after the sectional title game and Gaerke, Roessner and Niekamp prior to practice Tuesday. "We can't let foul trouble dictate our substitution pattern. It has to be when we want to substitute, not when we have to. I think that will make a huge difference for us."

New Knoxville, which topped Minster 40-26 for its sectional title, also presents a big challenge with Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year Nicole Wright (see related story) patrolling the middle. She ranks just behind Stein, who returned to the Tribe lineup with 13 points and six rebounds Saturday, at 12.8 points per game to go along with 7.6 rebounds.

Wright also keys the Ranger defense, clogging the lane for any player hoping to drive to the basket.

Overall, Roessner said he sees two balanced teams and would expect a rematch to be an even game. But he also believes his team is ready to take the next two steps toward a berth in the state finals.

"Our kids are focused and prepared to continue to play," Roessner said. "It think we're looking at it the correct way. We're really focusing our attention on what we do defensively. We're looking at it as an opportunity and not as a task, and I think the difference between the two (mindsets) is significant.

"We know that going into this game we won't be favored and Knoxville won't be favored. It's just a great game. But somebody is going to make two or three plays that are going to win it. And I think we're poised to do that."[[In-content Ad]]COLDWATER, Ohio - A week after they were named to the All-District 8 team, the same three Indians earned All-MAC first-team honors.

Holly Stein, Tiff Gaerke and Vicki Roessner were all selected to the All-Midwest Athletic Conference team, which was announced Tuesday. Fellow senior Sara Fortkamp earned All-MAC honorable mention.

Stein, an All-District first-teamer, finished among the MAC leaders in scoring (13.5 points per game), rebounding (6.8), steals (44) and 3-pointers (23).

Gaerke leads the Indians with 7.4 rebounds per game, and is second with 8.9 points, and Roessner follows with 8.7 points, 20 3-pointers, 76 assists and a MAC-best 79 steals. Both were named to the All-District second team.

Fortkamp ranks next on the Tribe scoring list with 7.2 points to go along with 53 steals and 50 assists.

Fort Recovery and St. John's each had three first-team selections, taking up half of the 12 spots. St. John's coach Dan Grothouse was voted MAC Coach of the Year, while Nicole Wright (12.8 points, 7.6 rebounds) was selected MAC Player of the Year.