District Final Preview: Lady Tigers face Wellston
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
On Saturday night, the McClain Lady Tigers have the opportunity to have their picture placed on the wall outside of the McClain High School Gym as they are one win away from being crowned district champions.
With the winner of the Lady Tigers’ game against the Wellston Lady Golden Rockets on Saturday, March 1 at Waverly (tip-off at 7 p.m.) earning a trip to the Sweet 16, head coach Jarrod Haines knows it won’t be easy, and this district matchup isn’t just “another game.”
“A district championship is a storied game at McClain,” Haines told The Highland County Press. “Past players and coach Dennis Overstake have set a precedent of getting to this game and battling to bring home a district championship.
“This game will let my players write their names in the history books at McClain. It’s ‘win or go home,’ so we are treating it like it is just that. Our focus and energy have to be at another level.”
[[In-content Ad]]The last time the Lady Tigers won a district title was during the 2008-09 basketball season, a season where Haines was an assistant coach for MHS.
As for the 2013-14 season, the Lady Tigers, a No. 1 seed, face a Lady Golden Rockets team that is 10-12 overall. Wellston has defeated Chesapeake (a No. 7 seed) 54-36 and Belpre, the No. 3 seed, by a 70-50 score in the sectional finals.
“Their record is deceiving as they played the first 11 games without their point guard, Lexi Humphries, a transfer from Jackson,” Haines said. “The game we watched them the other day, they shot 28 threes and made eight.
“Their ability to stand and shoot threes really stands out, plus they have multiple outside threats which we have to watch out for.”
Humphries is a 5-7 junior who is averaging 18.5 points per game. Another player to watch out for is 5-10 junior Lexi Hopkins, who averages 13.7 ppg. Hopkins has made 58 3-pointers this season.
Humphries had a career-high 38 points, including 23-of-28 free throws (20-of-22 in second half and 14-of-16 in fourth quarter), in their win over Belpre.
MHS reached the district title game by defeating Crooksville, 51-36, in the district semifinals and Rock Hill, 64-22, in the sectional finals.
McClain’s Shania Massie was voted Division III District 14 Player of the Year by the coaches’ association, with the 5-7 junior coming off a 30-point game in the semifinals. In the regular season, she averaged 17.4 ppg. She’s had 30 or more points in a game four times during her junior season.
“Shania may be one of the most complete players I have seen,” Haines said. “She just can flat-out score. Her defense is top-notch, and it amazes me how many teams have focused on her and she has still made her team better.”
Haines said his team is playing with confidence, something that lacked at the start of the season.
“We lacked confidence at the beginning of our season; we struggled believing and understanding how good we could be when we do things right,” Haines said. “I think when we lost that first game at Miami Trace and we battled so hard with Clinton Massie that our kids realized what they could accomplish.
“Our defensive effort versus Lynchburg-Clay is one I won’t forget, but two weeks ago when we lost to Washington … I think was a slap in the face and a wake-up call for the team.”
Looking at his team, Haines, a first-year head coach, spoke about how his coaching staff has been big for him and the team.
“The tough games we played in the season prepared us for this road,” he said.
“I have been blessed with a great coaching staff. Jesse Mitchell has been with me every step of the way. We wouldn’t be here without him.
“Also, Audra Branham’s insight is very valuable. She led the JV team to a 17-2 record, so she knows how to win, and coach Matt Shelton has stayed busy on the road scouting for us.”
Haines also spoke about the team in how all of them have combined to get where they are in various ways this year.
“Tara has been double- and triple-teamed all year and she has been a great leader for us and has been a billboard for not giving up and pushing harder,” Haines said of one of his seniors.
“Players like Katy Unger, Sarah Thompson, Lauren Rayburn and Alli Willett are so valuable to a team like ours. They don’t light up the scoreboard, but they do things that not everyone likes to do. They are very unselfish and tough.
“Taylor Polley has been our thorn in every point guard’s side we face. She is like a bad cough that won’t go away for our opponents. Her defensive effort has been a huge key for our season’s success and tournament run.”
Haines finished by going back to the tradition of MHS and family.
“I’ve learned from Coach Overstake how preparation will get you very far in a tournament run,” he said.
“Most importantly, without my wife’s support, I would be nowhere. Her willingness to let me pursue my passion and be gone some nights can’t go unrecognized.
“My son has been in a dugout or a gym almost two nights a week since he was born. My family’s support is awesome.”
With the winner of the Lady Tigers’ game against the Wellston Lady Golden Rockets on Saturday, March 1 at Waverly (tip-off at 7 p.m.) earning a trip to the Sweet 16, head coach Jarrod Haines knows it won’t be easy, and this district matchup isn’t just “another game.”
“A district championship is a storied game at McClain,” Haines told The Highland County Press. “Past players and coach Dennis Overstake have set a precedent of getting to this game and battling to bring home a district championship.
“This game will let my players write their names in the history books at McClain. It’s ‘win or go home,’ so we are treating it like it is just that. Our focus and energy have to be at another level.”
[[In-content Ad]]The last time the Lady Tigers won a district title was during the 2008-09 basketball season, a season where Haines was an assistant coach for MHS.
As for the 2013-14 season, the Lady Tigers, a No. 1 seed, face a Lady Golden Rockets team that is 10-12 overall. Wellston has defeated Chesapeake (a No. 7 seed) 54-36 and Belpre, the No. 3 seed, by a 70-50 score in the sectional finals.
“Their record is deceiving as they played the first 11 games without their point guard, Lexi Humphries, a transfer from Jackson,” Haines said. “The game we watched them the other day, they shot 28 threes and made eight.
“Their ability to stand and shoot threes really stands out, plus they have multiple outside threats which we have to watch out for.”
Humphries is a 5-7 junior who is averaging 18.5 points per game. Another player to watch out for is 5-10 junior Lexi Hopkins, who averages 13.7 ppg. Hopkins has made 58 3-pointers this season.
Humphries had a career-high 38 points, including 23-of-28 free throws (20-of-22 in second half and 14-of-16 in fourth quarter), in their win over Belpre.
MHS reached the district title game by defeating Crooksville, 51-36, in the district semifinals and Rock Hill, 64-22, in the sectional finals.
McClain’s Shania Massie was voted Division III District 14 Player of the Year by the coaches’ association, with the 5-7 junior coming off a 30-point game in the semifinals. In the regular season, she averaged 17.4 ppg. She’s had 30 or more points in a game four times during her junior season.
“Shania may be one of the most complete players I have seen,” Haines said. “She just can flat-out score. Her defense is top-notch, and it amazes me how many teams have focused on her and she has still made her team better.”
Haines said his team is playing with confidence, something that lacked at the start of the season.
“We lacked confidence at the beginning of our season; we struggled believing and understanding how good we could be when we do things right,” Haines said. “I think when we lost that first game at Miami Trace and we battled so hard with Clinton Massie that our kids realized what they could accomplish.
“Our defensive effort versus Lynchburg-Clay is one I won’t forget, but two weeks ago when we lost to Washington … I think was a slap in the face and a wake-up call for the team.”
Looking at his team, Haines, a first-year head coach, spoke about how his coaching staff has been big for him and the team.
“The tough games we played in the season prepared us for this road,” he said.
“I have been blessed with a great coaching staff. Jesse Mitchell has been with me every step of the way. We wouldn’t be here without him.
“Also, Audra Branham’s insight is very valuable. She led the JV team to a 17-2 record, so she knows how to win, and coach Matt Shelton has stayed busy on the road scouting for us.”
Haines also spoke about the team in how all of them have combined to get where they are in various ways this year.
“Tara has been double- and triple-teamed all year and she has been a great leader for us and has been a billboard for not giving up and pushing harder,” Haines said of one of his seniors.
“Players like Katy Unger, Sarah Thompson, Lauren Rayburn and Alli Willett are so valuable to a team like ours. They don’t light up the scoreboard, but they do things that not everyone likes to do. They are very unselfish and tough.
“Taylor Polley has been our thorn in every point guard’s side we face. She is like a bad cough that won’t go away for our opponents. Her defensive effort has been a huge key for our season’s success and tournament run.”
Haines finished by going back to the tradition of MHS and family.
“I’ve learned from Coach Overstake how preparation will get you very far in a tournament run,” he said.
“Most importantly, without my wife’s support, I would be nowhere. Her willingness to let me pursue my passion and be gone some nights can’t go unrecognized.
“My son has been in a dugout or a gym almost two nights a week since he was born. My family’s support is awesome.”