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DOYLESTOWN − After the eagerly-awaited game between Norwayne and Chippewa with the Wayne County Athletic League title on the line, Chippewa head coach Katie Miller was asked what she thought played a key factor in Thursday evening's result.
Miller simply put it, "Rebounding and they beat us up inside."
And there goes your headline for how the WCAL championship game played out, as Norwayne (19-2, 13-1) outmuscled Chippewa (14-8, 11-3) in all aspects inside in their 58-43 victory that clinched the outright WCAL title in what was a tight league race all season long.
More: Diving through boys basketball tournament paths for Wayne/Holmes County
Norwayne was able to use their size and length to beat up Chippewa in the rebounding department − both on the defensive and offensive rebounds − as the Bobcats proved to be just too physical and controlled the interior throughout.
"Over the last two years, I think we've lost the rebounding battle in one game. In that game, we lost as well," said Norwayne head coach Jake Shoup. "We really focus on, 'Hey, if you get more offensive rebounds you're going to get more shot opportunities.' Hannah, we challenged her at halftime to get offensive rebounds and she did that. She played a great game."
That would be 6-foot-1 center Hannah Froelich, who was a presence all game that Chippewa could not deal with, as she tallied up 13 points, 18 rebounds and a couple of blocks.
"I definitely feel like we were the more physical team," said Froelich afterwards. "That is because we practice it a lot. Going after rebounds, dealing with contact and being physical in practice. That helps us be prepared."
Said Miller, "Froelich had a real nice first half. We expected her to get the ball inside but we could've done a better job. They outrebounded us massively and it's something we talked about being a big key for them. They got [Ava] Maibach, Froelich and [Allie] DeMassimo. Long arms and can jump."
After a back-and-forth first quarter that saw Chippewa lead by one 19-18, Norwayne went on an impressive 20-1 run in the second quarter (had a 37-19 lead) behind a Bobcats half-court defense that didn't allow the Chipps to score a field goal until 55 seconds left in the quarter. Norwayne took a 15-point lead into halftime after outscoring Chippewa 20-4 in the second quarter with a combination play of inside scoring, good rotational defense and transition play.
Norwayne's Ava Maibach produced 12 points and Allie DeMassimo had a game-high 18.
"Just making sure we're in position the entire possession," Shoup said. "There's times teams can run their offense for a very long time and they will lull you to sleep and catch us off guard. We're at our best when we're locked into our own individual assignments based off where the ball is. We did a phenomenal job of being in position."
Said Froelich, "Out of the first quarter, coach told us to focus on defense and the offense will fall into place. It worked."
"That's something Norwayne did well," Miller said. "Playing physical. 90 feet. Inside-out. Whether it's offensively and defensively, they're just actively pursuing the ball."
With Thursday's game being the regular season finale for both Norwayne and Chippewa, that capped off a season where the WCAL race for the league title was every bit as intriguing as it was vigorous.
"We have a great league. Great coaches. Lot of great players," said Miller. "Norwayne is of course at the top. They had a great season last year. Then you got Waynedale, Smithville and Dalton who are well-coached and have nice players as well. On the bottom half, you got Hillsdale, Northwestern and Rittman. Hopefully this helps us. We have to turn the page and recover for Saturday."
"I would put this conference with any Division V or Division VI small conference in Ohio," said Shoup. "The WCAL, in my mind, is by far the best small school conference in the state. It's good because it allows us to see good competition through the year. As we go into the tournament now, we feel good about the teams we've played and the competition level because it makes our girls ready."
"Means a lot to us because we really had a long drought since the last time we won it. We're really excited to win it after I think 40 years," said Froelich. "Really excited to do that and it gets us even more prepared for the tournament."
j[email protected]
Twitter/X: @JamesSimpsonII
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Norwayne defeated Chippewa in girls basketball for WCAL title
Continue reading...
Miller simply put it, "Rebounding and they beat us up inside."
And there goes your headline for how the WCAL championship game played out, as Norwayne (19-2, 13-1) outmuscled Chippewa (14-8, 11-3) in all aspects inside in their 58-43 victory that clinched the outright WCAL title in what was a tight league race all season long.
More: Diving through boys basketball tournament paths for Wayne/Holmes County
Norwayne was able to use their size and length to beat up Chippewa in the rebounding department − both on the defensive and offensive rebounds − as the Bobcats proved to be just too physical and controlled the interior throughout.
"Over the last two years, I think we've lost the rebounding battle in one game. In that game, we lost as well," said Norwayne head coach Jake Shoup. "We really focus on, 'Hey, if you get more offensive rebounds you're going to get more shot opportunities.' Hannah, we challenged her at halftime to get offensive rebounds and she did that. She played a great game."
That would be 6-foot-1 center Hannah Froelich, who was a presence all game that Chippewa could not deal with, as she tallied up 13 points, 18 rebounds and a couple of blocks.
"I definitely feel like we were the more physical team," said Froelich afterwards. "That is because we practice it a lot. Going after rebounds, dealing with contact and being physical in practice. That helps us be prepared."
Said Miller, "Froelich had a real nice first half. We expected her to get the ball inside but we could've done a better job. They outrebounded us massively and it's something we talked about being a big key for them. They got [Ava] Maibach, Froelich and [Allie] DeMassimo. Long arms and can jump."
After a back-and-forth first quarter that saw Chippewa lead by one 19-18, Norwayne went on an impressive 20-1 run in the second quarter (had a 37-19 lead) behind a Bobcats half-court defense that didn't allow the Chipps to score a field goal until 55 seconds left in the quarter. Norwayne took a 15-point lead into halftime after outscoring Chippewa 20-4 in the second quarter with a combination play of inside scoring, good rotational defense and transition play.
Norwayne's Ava Maibach produced 12 points and Allie DeMassimo had a game-high 18.
"Just making sure we're in position the entire possession," Shoup said. "There's times teams can run their offense for a very long time and they will lull you to sleep and catch us off guard. We're at our best when we're locked into our own individual assignments based off where the ball is. We did a phenomenal job of being in position."
Said Froelich, "Out of the first quarter, coach told us to focus on defense and the offense will fall into place. It worked."
"That's something Norwayne did well," Miller said. "Playing physical. 90 feet. Inside-out. Whether it's offensively and defensively, they're just actively pursuing the ball."
With Thursday's game being the regular season finale for both Norwayne and Chippewa, that capped off a season where the WCAL race for the league title was every bit as intriguing as it was vigorous.
"We have a great league. Great coaches. Lot of great players," said Miller. "Norwayne is of course at the top. They had a great season last year. Then you got Waynedale, Smithville and Dalton who are well-coached and have nice players as well. On the bottom half, you got Hillsdale, Northwestern and Rittman. Hopefully this helps us. We have to turn the page and recover for Saturday."
"I would put this conference with any Division V or Division VI small conference in Ohio," said Shoup. "The WCAL, in my mind, is by far the best small school conference in the state. It's good because it allows us to see good competition through the year. As we go into the tournament now, we feel good about the teams we've played and the competition level because it makes our girls ready."
"Means a lot to us because we really had a long drought since the last time we won it. We're really excited to win it after I think 40 years," said Froelich. "Really excited to do that and it gets us even more prepared for the tournament."
j[email protected]
Twitter/X: @JamesSimpsonII
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Norwayne defeated Chippewa in girls basketball for WCAL title
Continue reading...
