SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OHIO NEWS - Tigers Lose Season Final Game to Winton Woods

BY BOB GISH

SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OHIO NEWS - The tone and play of the last game of the regular season was considered pivotal for both the Loveland Lady Tigers and the Winton Woods Lady Warriors entering the upcoming tournament play. Both teams wanted the win. The Warriors looked to complete their FAVC conference play undefeated and tune up for the upcoming state tournament. The Tigers wanted to make a statement playing close with Winton Woods confirming Loveland Girls Basketball Program is on the rise. Winton Woods dealt Loveland a decisive loss earlier in the season on the Warriors home court. Loveland aimed to be spoilers at home with the aspiration of handing Winton Woods their second season loss. Winton woods ranked third in the greater Cincinnati area with Loveland holding down the tenth spot in the poll.

The first half of the game exceeded both teams expectations and gave the hometown Loveland fans some early first half excitement with six lead changes and two ties. Loveland missed their first eight shots allowing Winton Woods to jump to a quick 6-0 lead. Loveland’s Rachael Voss netted three free throws on a Winton Woods personal and technical foul. Loveland followed with field goals from Jen Elmore and Abby McIver both with assists from Krystle Gish bringing the Tigers back in the game. Erin Henry finally put Loveland ahead for the first time 9-8 on a pair of free throws with 1:08 left in the first quarter. Dayeesha Hollins advanced the ball and put the Warriors ahead with a field goal at the end of first period 10-9. Loveland’s Ellie Iaciafano started the second quarter with a field goal putting Loveland ahead again 11-10. The Warriors answered with two free throws from Shynisha Johnson putting the visitors back on top 12-11. Loveland responded with field goal by Voss and Alex Pohl with assists from Pohl and Iaciafano giving Loveland their largest lead at 15-12. A field goal by the Warriors Angel Edwards and free throw by Courtney Lumpkin tied the score at 15 all with two minutes in the first half. Zipporah Tidwell put the Warriors ahead 17-15 with a field goal and Loveland would never regain the lead in the game. McIver hit one more field goal for Loveland with Lumpkin hitting two-threes at the end of the second period carrying the Warriors to a halftime six point 23-17 lead.

The second half of the game would be all Winton Woods easily breaking Loveland's defense with an 8-0 run in the third quarter extending the Warrior's lead to 33-19. Winton Woods outscored Loveland 21-7 on 17 Loveland turnovers and outscored Loveland 38-18 in the paint. Winton Woods finally put Loveland away 52-33 leading by as many as 24 points in the second half. The Warriors victory was led by Jasmine Shaw with 13 points and Hollins with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Voss led Loveland’s scoring with 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Winton Woods won the FAVC Buckeye Division with a perfect 10-0 record. Loveland would finish in second place with a 7-3 league record losing twice to Winton Woods and once to Anderson.

Loveland (17-3, 7-3 FAVC): Voss 3-5-11, McIver 3-0-6, Gish 1-1-3, Iaciafano 1-1-3, Henry 0-2-2, Wenger 0-0-0, Boswell 0-0-0, Elmore 1-2-4, Randall 0-0-0, Pohl 2-0-4. Loveland: 38 rebounds, 8 assists, 17 turnovers, 5 steals, 13 personal fouls.

Winton Woods (19-1, 10-0 FAVC): K. Johnson 1-4-6, Smith 2-0-4, Shaw 6-1-13, Hollins 5-2-12, Lumpkin 3-1-9, S. Johnson 1-0-2, Paratore 0-0-0, Thomas 0-0-0, Tidwell 2-0-4, Edwards 1-0-2, 3PFG Lumpkin 2. Winton Woods: 32 rebounds, 8 assists, 7 turnovers, 13 steals, 14 personal fouls.

Loveland Season Wrap-up

Loveland's season ended with a 9-1 record at home and 8-2 on the road. Loveland finished 7-3 for a second place finish in FAVC Buckeye Division play and a perfect 10-0 in non-conference action. Loveland’s offensive success this season was led by All Conference Junior Center Rachel Voss averaging 11.9 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, season team high 10 blocked shots and hitting 55 for 81 free throws for 68 percent. Junior Alex Pohl led Loveland field goal shooting percentage hitting 32 of 72 for 44 percent. Sophomore Ellie Iaciafano led Loveland's defense with 40 steals and 36 defensive assists. Senior Erin Henry led Loveland with 42 season assists. Loveland's season success was due primarily to their tenacious defense. Loveland had 106 more steals than their opponents, 87 more defensive assists, 139 less turnovers, and scored 11.2 points per game more off opponent’s turnovers and played even with opponents in rebounding.