Wilmore, KY-If Midway’s Eagles (23-8) had been asked in August if they would be satisfied with finishing first in the KIAC regular season standings and tying the single season total of most wins in school history, more than doubling their total of the previous season, several may have agreed that they would be happy with those results. If told that they would also feature the conference player of the year and coach of the year, a few more would join in agreement. And, if told they would compete in the tournament championship and finish as runner-up, it’s likely they would have been excited. Who could blame them? The 2007-2008 season has been a storybook ride that could almost be the plot of a dramatic mini-series full of breathtaking memories. Blessed with tremendous team success, accolades were heaped on individual players-and deservedly so. Their hard work had paid off and they found themselves as the top-seed in the tournament, facing number three seed Berea College (21-11) for the title.
Sometimes, games are decided early by a sequence of events that cannot quite be overcome and this was one of those games. In a high scoring, lung searing 94-foot battle of conditioning, Midway, though up to the challenge, was dealt a tough 121-101 loss. When the final horn sounded, were they satisfied? Absolutely not. Their faces told the tale of a team that wanted more. Having been so close and not able to unseat the defending champ, was disappointing. But, what they gained in defeat, many teams never achieve in victory.
Trailing 4-2 early, Berea outscored Midway 12-2 in just over 90 seconds. Though stunned by the offensive attack, Midway struck back and matched the Mountaineers point for point. With 9:00 remaining in the first half, Berea embarked on a 24-5 scoring spree that put them up by 26 points with less than four minutes to play. The Eagle’s response was swift. Outscoring Berea 15-7 to close the half, Midway, which shot 57% from the floor in the first half, had gained back some momentum and trimmed the deficit to 18.
That momentum, however, didn’t fully swing in their favor in the second half, giving up nine unanswered points to begin the second period. Each team’s assault was met with one equally impressive. True to their philosophy and style of play, Berea continued to press the issue and scored nine unanswered points to open up a 32 point margin with less than three minutes to play. Then, it was Midway’s turn, and the Eagles closed the game with a 17-5 scoring advantage.
But, this contest, like the entire season, is much more than a final score. The Eagles out rebounded Berea by 10. Midway’s starting lineup put up 51 points, while Berea’s contributed 36. In the game’s last 24 minutes, Midway held a 71-65 scoring advantage. Field goal shooting percentages were eerily similar and each team scored 27 points from the line.
Led by conference player of the year Danielle Lascoe (Louisville, KY/Jeffersontown H.S.) and Beth Jamison (Taylorsville, KY/Spencer County H.S.), who each totaled 15 points, five Eagles scored in double figures. Jamison, who used her aggressive nature to draw contact and score from the line in the second half, came away with 11 rebounds. Ashley Parker (Midway, FL/Amos P. Godby H.S.) scored 10 points and had a game high 14 rebounds to record her fourteenth double double this season. She added a team high five assists.
The backbone of Berea’s offensive ability was from outside, as they hit 18-of-38 three pointers, and scored nearly half their points from beyond the arc. Led by Ashley Howard’s 25 points and 8 assists, three Mountaineers scored at least 20 points. Sa’de Mullins hit five three pointers and all five of her free throw attempts to score 24 and in only 13 minutes of play, Annbruce Madden was a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor and tallied 21.
Senior guard Desiree Haney (Paintsville, KY/Paintsville H.S.) scored 6 points, dished out 4 assists and made a game best 4 steals. Kassie Brock (California, KY/Campbell County H.S.) came off the bench to hit 5-of-8 field goals and score 12, tying her season high. Midway forward Valerie Clayton (Laurel, MS/Laurel H.S.) made the most of her 14 minutes on the court. The promising 5’9 freshman hit 6 -of-10 field goals, scored a season high12 points and had 5 rebounds. Seniors Kathleen Wolf (Plano, TX/Plano H.S.) and Allana Gerhardt (Brisbane) combined to hit every attempt from the field and each free throw they attempted, scoring a total of 11 points in as many minutes on the court.
There’s much to be taken from Saturday’s game and the entire season. This team’s success or their hard work and perseverance cannot be diminished or overshadowed by any one loss. They are champions-once-beaten regular season champions who compiled a body of work unmatched by any other conference opponent. Head Coach Timothy Southers was named conference coach of the year and Ashley Parker and Danielle Lascoe were named to the all-conference team. There’s much to be proud of. And, maybe the best thing about this season is that expectations have been raised to a previously unseen level. If the team is asked during the 2008-2009 preseason if they would be happy finishing as runner up in next season’s conference tournament, there’s little doubt that you’ll get an immediate and consistent response. The only satisfaction taken will be from winning it.
|
1 |
2 |
FINAL |
Berea College (3) |
63 |
58 |
121 |
Midway College (1) |
45 |
56 |
101 |
