ThisWeek Dublin Villager
Page A12
March 13, 2014
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Commentary
Bounce helps lift Coffman to state
Call it the shot heard around Dublin. Or perhaps the shot that sent the first Dublin City Schools basketball program – boys or girls – to a state semifinal, as the Dublin Coffman High School girls team defeated Reynoldsburg 39-26 in a Division I regional final March 7 at Otterbein. Kamerine SCOTT Taylor faced HENNEN the basket, standing just to the right of the top of the key, and released a 3point shot with a high, arching trajectory. The ball hit the rim and bounced high near the backboard before falling, rattling back and forth on the iron and tumbling through the net as the Coffman faithful erupted. The basket was worth three points on the scoreboard, but more in the context of the game. It gave Coffman the lead for good at 24-23 with 2 minutes, 2 seconds left in the third quarter and swung momentum in favor of the Shamrocks, who went on to win their first regional title. Taylor’s 3-pointer began a 12-0 run and gave Coffman its first lead since the opening quarter. The Raiders would score only three points in the final 10:02. “The shot looked good when I took it, but it had to bounce
Members of the Coffman girls basketball team celebrate with the championship trophy March 6 after defeating Reynoldsburg 39-26 in a Division I regional final at Otterbein University. CHRIS PARKER/THISWEEKSPORTS
Girls Basketball
Coffman ‘finally over the hump’
By SCOTT HENNEN THISWEEKSPORTS.COM
Bryan Patton has never been a part of one of the final four teams remaining in the state — until now. The fifth-year coach gets his shot when his Dublin Coffman High School girls basketball team takes the court at Ohio State at 8 p.m. Friday, March 14, in a Division I state semifinal against fifth-ranked North Canton Hoover. It’s something he believes his players always will remember. “It’s really hard to fathom,” said Patton, who graduated from Westerville South in 1998. “I’m so excited for the HENNEN >> A15 girls because it’s a special moment.
“I’ve (now) made it (to state) as a coach. When I played at Westerville South, we had some very good teams but never got to make that run. The girls get that chance to play against the best in the state and the chance to show what they can do.” The Shamrocks improved to 22-6 by defeating 10th-ranked Reynoldsburg 39-26 in a regional final March 7 at Otterbein. It is the first state tournament appearance by any Dublin school in boys or girls basketball. “We’re finally over the hump after losing in regional finals in the past,” said junior post player Sade Olatoye, who had 18 points and 16 rebounds
against Reynoldsburg. “It’s just so amazing.” Coffman was making its third regional appearance, with the others coming in 2008 and 2009. Those years the Shamrocks went on to lose to West Chester Lakota West in regional finals, falling 62-48 in 2008 and 57-49 in 2009. The Shamrocks now focus their attention on Hoover, which improved to 242 by defeating Solon 65-42 in a regional final March 7. The Vikings won the Division I state title in 2002 when coach Abbey Allerding was a senior in the program. Julie Worley, a 6-foot forward and Ashland University signee, averages 13.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals
for Hoover. Another 6-0 forward, Niagara signee Kaylee Stroemple, averages 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds. Marquia Turner, a 5-8 senior guard headed to Xavier, averages 10.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.0 steals. Senior guard Kelsey Lensman averages 8.7 points and 2.3 steals, and senior guard Kaitlyn Runner averages 5.3 points. “(The Vikings) are very balanced and they have smart, heady kids who can play a lot of different ways,” Patton said. “They can win games in the 30s or win them in the 70s. They also pride themselves on playing good defense and making teams uncomfortable.”
GIRLS >> A17