Under pressure

FORT RECOVERY - As the first Fort Recovery district championship team in more than a decade arrived at the Fort Site Fieldhouse Sunday, there was a common theme: Pressure.

It wasn't because the Indians were feeling nervous about their first regional appearance in 11 years. In fact, they seemed loose.

And it wasn't because they feel any weight on their shoulders to carry FRHS to its fourth state finals appearance in school history. Although, that is their goal.

It's about what they expect to see Tuesday when they step on the court against the Lockland Panthers in the regional semifinal at Trent Arena in Kettering.

"They press a lot and try to get the ball up and down," said senior Greg Kahlig. "I think if we can break their press and not give them easy points in transition we can have a chance at beating them."

Fort Recovery coach Brian Patch said Lockland (15-9) will bring full-court pressure from the opening tip to the final buzzer. He noted that they use several different presses, and then trap out of a 2-3 zone in the half-court.

While Patch said his team hasn't seen the Panthers' type of pressure thus far this season, he added that he hopes its offseason experience in tournaments and leagues at Wright State University, Findlay, Akron and Valparaiso will help them.

"We saw a little bit (of pressure this year), but not where they come full court at us a lot," said senior Cody Fiely. "We'll usually get a couple guards out pressuring us one-on-one, but that's about it.

"Hopefully we'll be able stay composed ... and just do what we need to do."

While Fort Recovery (20-3) is making its first regional appearance since 1999, Lockland has become a regional regular.

The Panthers are in the regional tournament for the sixth straight season, having advance to the regional title game last season. They dropped the regional championship 54-53 to Ada, the team that had eliminated FRHS in the district semifinal round.

Lockland reached the final four in 2006 before falling to South Webster in the state semifinal.

"People know Lockland. They've been there numerous times," said Patch. "(They are) the favorite because they've had that experience."

The Panthers have rolled to four double-digit wins in the tournament thus far, topping New Miami (0-19), Cincinnati Christian (3-17) and Middletown Christian (8-14) and Franklin Monroe (9-9).

The district championship win over Franklin More came by 23 points while FRHS defeated that same squad by 11 during the regular season.

Despite their tournament success, Lockland defeated only one team with a winning record all season. That game was Jan. 2, when it knocked off Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (14-7) by six points. Their 12 regular-season victories came against teams with a combined record of 61-140.

The Panthers' scoring breakdown is similar to what Fort Recovery brings to the table, with one player carrying the load.

Fort Recovery has Kahlig, the Midwest Athletic Conference and District 8 Player of the Year, averaging 25.2 points per game.

Frankie Young, a 6-foot-5-inch forward, leads the Panthers at 19.4 points per game. He earned All-Miami Valley Conference and all-district honors this season.

"He's similar to Greg. He can do everything," said Patch of Young. "He can put the ball on the floor. He can hit pull-ups. He can shoot 3s. He's not a one-dimensional player by any means. He'll be a tough match-up."

Following Kahlig for the Tribe are Craig Tobe at 9.8 points per game, Cody Fiely (8.9), Wade Gelhaus (5.8) and Michael Gaerke (3.7).

Young is followed by Dylan Wedlock and Terrance Calhoun at 7.5 points per game, Mike Beasley (6.4), Tommie Hayes (6.3) and James Pugh (5.8).

Patch said the strategy against Young and the Panthers will be similar to the one Fort Recovery used in its district championship victory over New Bremen. They'll use a zone defense to try to keep the ball out of the paint, and out of Young's hands, and force Lockland to try to beat them from the outside.

New Bremen struggled to a 2-of-15 shooting effort from 3-point range against he Indians.

"They shoot it a little bit better and a little bit more than New Bremen did," said Patch of Lockland. "The goals will still be similar - keep them out of the paint and keep them off the glass.

"For us, the New Bremen game is kind of a good segue into this one."

Fort Recovery traveled to Piqua Sunday to practice at Edison Community College.

Edison is set up like an arena - similar to Trent Arena - as opposed to having the look of a typical high school gymnasium. Patch said he hoped practicing there would help his team get used to the different environment.

As for the players, they hope their fans can make the regional environment similar to the rollicking sell-out they play in front of Friday in the district championship at Wapakoneta.

"It'll be a little different I think," said Fiely. "The last game was about as good as you can get. ... I know Fort Recovery is going to bring a lot (of fans)."[[In-content Ad]]