Tygers' pressure foils Perrysburg
3/2/2003FINDLAY - Just playing in the Division I girls district basketball championship could have caused Perrysburg to feel pressured about taking on 10th-ranked Mansfield.
However, nerves didn't get the best of Perrysburg as Mansfield rolled to a 56-38 victory last night at the University of Findlay.
Mansfield's defensive pressure put an end to the Yellow Jackets' season.
A steady dose of fullcourt pressure by the Tygers (22-1) forced the Yellow Jackets (20-4) into 23 turnovers, and many of them resulted in easy baskets for a Mansfield team that stayed ahead by double-digits the entire second half. The Tygers' steady pressure made it difficult for the Yellow Jackets to even get the basketball past half court.
“They were very good,” said Perrysburg coach Mark Schrock. “They were very quick and took advantage of our inexperience in the backcourt.
“They exposed our inexperience at the guard positions.”
Perrysburg's roster includes only one senior, Jenny Langevin, who finished with 11 points.
Nevertheless, Schrock wasn't discouraged about the Yellow Jackets' season coming to a close. The loss to Mansfield didn't ruin his outlook on a season that ultimately exceeded preseason expectations.
“We ended up with a much better record than I would have ever dreamed about,” Schrock said. “To win 20 games this season is incredible. I'm very proud of them.
“They've played hard every game. I could never fault this team for not playing hard.”
Laura Markwood paced Perrysburg with 18 points and nine rebounds. The 6-2 junior was a factor around the basket practically every time she got her hands on the basketball. If she didn't score, she drew fouls and found her way to the foul line where she made 8 of 10 free throws.
However, her touches were limited by the fact that the Yellow Jackets had trouble setting up their offense.
Often, Markwood was called on to help bring the ball up court.
Allison Vallas added seven and Sarah Hughes two for Perrysburg.
Canea Williams scored a team-high 18 points for Mansfield as eight Tygers scored at least a point. Brooke Brafford added 11.
The Yellow Jackets fell behind 11-2, fought to a 17-17 tie, but trailed 27-17 by halftime.
“We don't see that kind of [defensive] team very often,” Schrock said. “We turned the ball over just way too much. When you turn the ball over you can't score.”