Grizzlies capture HCAC Crown

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By Monica Harvey, February 25, 2010

“It was such an exciting feeling,” senior Heather Harper said. “It was all I could think about the day before. It was a great feeling.

 

“The fan support was awesome. We had the most fans ever.”

 

Sophomore Sarah Condra led the Grizzlies with 28 points. Junior Monica Planalp and Harper added 16 and 14, respectively. Condra was named the HCAC player of the week for her efforts.  

 

Four different Yellow jackets – Shavonda Price, Tasha Stucke, Courtney Schmersal and Mandie White – scored in double digits, led by Price with 16. Price also grabbed a team-leading 13 rebounds. Brooke Zachrich led Defiance in assists with five. But the Yellow Jackets turned the ball over a combined 22 times.

 

“Overall for us I think it just comes down to how well we play defense because that leads to fast breaks, which is what we are good at since we are a running team” said senior Traci Lippold.

 

“[Our defense] basically sets the pace of the game for us, which if you saw our last game against Defiance, it took us until second half to find [the] pace that we like” said Planalp.

In the first round of tournament play, Defiance beat Manchester College 83-70 to advance and earn a rematch against Franklin on Friday.  

 

Four separate Yellow Jackets scored in double digits – Price, Stucke, Schmersal and Hannah Firchau – led by Schmersal with 15. Zachrich led the Yellow Jackets with five assists and White and Price each grabbed eight rebounds. Defiance cut its turnover total to 17, but Manchester turned the ball over 27 times.

 

Ashley Poe and Melissa Eltzroth scored 15 points each for Manchester and Becki Lowden grabbed 11 rebounds.

 

Franklin takes a 19-6 record (13-3 HCAC) into round two of the tourney, while Defiance stands at 17-9 (10-6 HCAC).

 

“Defense is basically the key to winning the game,” Harper said.

 

Harper leads the Grizzlies in scoring this season, averaging 15.8 points a game, while Condra has added 15.6. Condra has led the Grizzlies in three-pointers with 58 on the season. Harper pulls in 6.5 rebounds per game, while Condra dishes out 3.3 assists.

“We know if we play to our full potential, no one can stop us” said Planalp.

 

Three different Yellow jackets average double-digit scoring – White, Price and Schmersal – led by White 14.4 points a game. White also grabs a team-leading 8.8 rebounds per game. Schmersal leads Defiance with 66 three-pointers this season.

 

Harper credits the Grizzlies’ success this season to teamwork and dedication.

 

“We work hard every day in practice and help each other.

 

“It’s been a great season … And a great way to end my senior year.”