KEYSTONE 47, UNION 37

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KSAC Championship Game ~ February 9, 2008

Lady Panthers win KSAC Title

Photo by Dana Madison - www.keystonehs.us 

Keystone used a 21-10 edge in the middle two quarters to take a double digit second half lead on their way to claiming the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference title with a 47-37 win over three-time defending champion Union in the KSAC Championship game at Clarion High School.

With the win, Keystone (22-2) became the first team in 12 seasons to win the KSAC title other than Union or Karns City. Clarion-Limestone in the 1995-96 season was the last team other than the Lady Gremlins or the Damsels to claim the crown.

“They really have worked hard for this,” Turk said of his team. “I am just blessed to be able to work with them.”

Keystone exacted some revenge on the Damsels (17-8), as Union beat the Lady Panthers in last year’s KSAC title game, and claimed the first meeting this season between the two teams.

“That’s a monkey off our back,” Keystone head coach Bruce Turk, said. “Union has been so consistent over the years and has played so well. They were down a couple players, but they never backed off. They made us work for everything that we got.”

The Damsels held a slim 10-9 advantage at the end of a back and forth first quarter, but Keystone answered back in the second with an 11-6 edge to take a 20-16 halftime lead, holding Union scoreless for the final three minutes of the period.

The Damsels’ cold shooting continued into the third quarter, as Union went scoreless for the first six minutes of the third period.

Keystone had a 10 point lead before Union broke their drought. Melissa Shook and Amanda Barger scored on back-to-back possessions to cut the lead to six points.

However, Keystone’s Natalie Hartman answered by nailing a three-pointer to increase the lead to nine. Hartman, a junior guard, scored nine points off the bench for the Lady Panthers.

“One thing we have been very fortunate with is that I have been able to go nine to eleven deep all year,” Turk said. “(Natalie) is a very confident shooter, and she was given a couple open looks, and she didn’t hesitate. For her to step in and do what she did really shows what a great team we have, because you never know who is going to step in and make the big shot.”

The Damsels got within eight points on two occasions in the fourth quarter, but could get no closer as the Panthers claimed the league crown.

“Greg (Keystone boys basketball coach Greg Heath) has set the bar so high on the boys side,” Turk said. “They have been great champions. I just feel good that we’re able to hold up our end of the bargain this year and take that championship.”

Senior guard Cassy Hinderliter led the Lady Panthers with 13 points, while Schawbenbauer added nine points and nine rebounds.

“They have a quality basketball team,” Union Head Coach Josh Meeker said of the new conference champs. “They have all the pieces of the puzzle. They have the inside game, they have the outside game, they have a swing player who is 5-9 (Schwabenbauer) who can handle the ball and shoot the three-pointer. They have quickness. They have all things that make a good team.”

Torri Smith led the Damsels with 13 points, while Tina Lipps added 12 and grabbed nine rebounds.

KEYSTONE 47, UNION 37 

Score By Quarter

Keystone  9  11  10  17  -  47 

Union  10  6  4  17  -  37

KEYSTONE - 47

Britt Mohney 1 2-6 4, Sam Schwabenbauer 2 4-6 9, Caitlin Turk 2 2-2 6, Amanda Rodgers 0 0-0 0, Cassy Hinderliter 6 1-3 13, Olivia Neely 2 0-1 4, Lindsey Rhoads 0 0-0 0, Kelly McQuiston 1 0-0 2, Natalie Hartman 2 4-4 9. TOTALS 16 13-22 47.

UNION – 37

Amanda Barger 1 0-0 2, Lanae Cicciarelli 1 1-4 3, Torri Smith 4 5-6 13, Melissa Shook 1 0-2 2, Tina Lipps 4 4-10 12, Lepha Logue 1 0-0 2, Kylee Kelley 0 3-6 3. TOTALS  12 13-28 37.