SPRINGFIELD – Mounting a double-digit comeback is no easy task, nonetheless in a postseason environment.
Despite a valiant second-half showing, the early deficit proved too steep to overcome as the Rams’ season ended in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of Kettering Archbishop Alter in a 45-35 defeat in Springfield.
Offensively the Rams really struggled to find rhythm in the first half. Their lone field goal – courtesy of senior Mahya Lindesmith – came three minutes into the contest. Give the Knights credit, as their pestering on-ball defense and length in the post contributed to the Rams’ uncharacteristic scoring struggles.
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On the defensive end, the Rams mostly did their part in the first half. Holding this stellar Knights group to just 17 first-half points was a pretty impressive task and kept them within striking distance despite a 17-7 halftime deficit.
Following a basket by Alter sophomore Hannah Mayse, the Knights’ lead had suddenly inched as high as 27-10. But if you’ve followed this Rams group, you just knew they weren’t ready to quit just yet.
“We were forcing shots, but we got back to what we did,” Badin coach Tom Sunderman spoke of his team’s mid-game adjustment. “We told them to let it go, shoot with confidence and see what happens.”
At last, shots began to fall for Badin. As a result, you could feel the confidence flowing back into the Rams faithful and players. Following a turnover, Rams senior guard Jada Pohlen coolly knocked down a 3-pointer, capping off an 11-2 run to slash the Knights lead to 29-21 just prior to the end of the quarter.
With just eight minutes separating the victor from an appearance in the OHSAA DII state semifinal at the University of Dayton, Sunderman urgently elected a switch from the 1-3-1 zone to deploy more full-court pressure.
To Sunderman’s credit, it was quite effective. His group forced turnovers needed to fuel the comeback and gave themselves ample opportunity down the stretch.
Badin senior Ella Mangino and Pohlen made the most of their looks, scoring consecutive baskets to draw within four at 37-33. Notably, Pohlen’s bucket marked her 1,000th point as a Ram, but perhaps none as big as this one.
To Pohlen’s credit, the team knew the senior guard would likely eclipse the mark in the contest. But according to Sunderman, Pohlen was more worried about her team winning the contest than her individual accolade.
“Jada Pohlen might be my favorite player – AAU or high school – that I’ve ever coached…,” Sunderman said. “She got her 1,000th point tonight, but I told the coach before the game – don’t stop the game. Don’t present her the ball. We’re not calling a timeout. She doesn’t want that. She wants to win this game for her team; the 1,000 points is secondary for her,”
“She’s an unbelievable leader… She plays hard every day, the first to get on herself, the ultimate leader and gets after it in the classroom too. I don’t understand why someone out there in basketball or soccer isn’t (trying to get her) on their team (collegiately).”
Shortly thereafter, a free throw by Katherine Beeber made the contest a one-possession game with Badin trailing just 37-34 with 1:15 remaining in the contest.
But down the stretch, Alter simply came up with more loose balls and, as a result, escaped with a hard-fought victory.
“I’m proud of our girls,” Sunderman said. “We were down 27-10 and fought back to get it within three. People don’t realize how hard it is to get to this spot. You’ve got to have the right draw, the right players and things have to bounce the right way. We buried ourselves in a hole, but how many loose balls did we have our hands on in the second half and the ball just bounced out of it and they picked it up?”
Pohlen ended the night as Badin’s lone double-digit scorer with 10 points. Alter was led by freshman forward Maddie Moody – who scored an impressive 13 points and controlled the glass with her length.
Badin (17-4) concludes its season with a second consecutive heartbreaker in the Region Eight championship game. Alter (26-1), on the other hand, advances to the OHSAA DII state semifinal at 8 p.m., March 10, at the University of Dayton.
A – 9 8 14 14 – 45
B – 5 2 14 14 – 35
Alter leading scorers: Moody (13), Romer (10), Smith (6), Mayse (5), Thompson (4), Kernan (2).
Badin leading scorers: Pohlen (10), Lindesmith (8), Beeber (6), Hegemann (5), Cosgrove (3), Mangino (3).
