Regional Semifinals Preview: McClain set to face Fairland
The McClain Lady Tigers thus far are 3-for-3 in the 2014 postseason with wins over Rock Hill, Crooksville and Wellston en route to their sectional and district crowns.
Now the tough competition really begins as the Lady Tigers are one of 16 teams remaining in Division III, and next up for the 15-7 Lady Tigers are Fairland, who enter the game with 20 wins and three losses.
McClain is coming off a 57-31 win over Wellston for the district championship, while Fairland (of Proctorville) defeated Alexander, 64-22 en route to the Division III Regional Semifinal game this Wednesday at Logan High School (8 p.m. tip-off).
In the district final against Wellston, defense was the key to the Lady Tigers' first district title since the 2008-09 season.
"We had girls step up against Wellston," MHS head coach Jarrod Haines said. "It's what we have preached all year. Our defensive pressure has to cause problems for us continue this hot streak.
"I'm proud of our kids. They are growing up and accepting the challenge."
This postseason, McClain is averaging 57.3 points per game with scores of 64-22 over Rock Hill in the sectional finals, 51-36 over Crooksville in the district semifinals and the aforementioned 57-31 win over Wellston in the district finals.
The Lady Tigers are allowing 29.6 ppg in those three tournament games.
Looking at Fairland's tournament run, they defeated Alexander (62-37), Huntington (66-31) and Minford (56-19), as they are averaging 61.3 ppg and allowing 29 ppg this postseason.
Coach Haines said his team knows how important each game is from here on out and that their schedule this regular season was tough as they faced Clinton-Massie, who are still alive in their postseason, also reaching the regional round.
"I've said it in the preseason, we might have one of the toughest schedules in the state," Haines told The Highland County Press. "Obviously playing and competing with teams like Clinton-Massie and Miami Trace prepared us for games like this, because of the size they had mixed with good guard play.
"Also, the game we had against Jackson helps us with this matchup as they boasted a big post player. Losses in those games help us understand what we needed to fix."
Even with the success of 15 wins this season and three wins in the postseason, the Lady Tigers aren't taking it easy in their preparation for Fairland.
"We only have a couple days to prepare, so practices have to be high-level focus and intensity," Haines said. "It's sinking in to the kids that at this point every possession matters. We just have to continue to be the tougher team."
To be fully prepared for Fairland, the Lady Tigers must be ready to stop a senior duo that leads the Lady Dragons in scoring in Terra Stapleton (14.9 ppg, 8.9 rebounds per game) and Chandler Fulks (10.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.4 assists per game).
Stapleton is slated to play for the Michigan Wolverines, as she is a 6-4 center.
"Their guard play is very sound defensively and offensively," Haines said. "They like to pressure you and try to funnel you in to Stapleton.
"They have a guard, Chandler Fulks (5-6) who is strong and smart with the ball. They also have multiple outside threats."
FHS averages 34.1 rebounds per game and shoots 42 percent from the field. They also average 15.4 assists per games and 13 steals per game this season.
This season, the Lady Dragons shot 31 percent from beyond the arc, making 186 of 318 3-pointers attempted in their first 22 games.
Looking at the Lady Tigers, they to possess outside threats and can play tough in the post.
MHS is led by junior point guard Shania Massie who is 49 points away from the 1,000-point plateau. This season, she scored 330 points in 19 regular-season games (17.4 ppg) with two games in the regular season of 30 or more points.
In the postseason, Massie, the District 14 Coaches Division III Player of the Year scored 13 points against Rock Hill (in limited action), 30 against Crooksville and 24 vs. Wellston for a postseason average of 22.3 ppg.
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Also in their game against Wellston, freshman Taylor Polley scored 11 points and senior Tara Karnes added 10. Polley and Karnes are each averaging 10 ppg this postseason.
The Lady Tigers and Lady Dragons have a common opponent this year in Rock Hill, with FHS earning two wins against them this regular season, as they went 10-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Both teams also faced Jackson, both losses for the Lady Tigers and Lady Dragons. MHS lost to JHS, 49-37, and FHS lost, 48-43.
FHS has won 13 consecutive games with their three losses coming to Boyd County (Ky.) 61-51, Jackson and Huntington (W.Va) 80-48.
Coach Haines ended by praising "Tiger Nation" for their support.
"I appreciate the support of the school, community, family and friends the last week and this entire season," Haines said. "It means a lot to the girls, and we need Tiger Nation behind us Wednesday at Logan."
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Tickets for the McClain Lady Tigers' regional basketball game at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5 at Logan will be sold during the following times:
• Tuesday - During school hours and until 7 p.m.
• Wednesday - During school hours until 3 p.m.
All tickets are $6 pre-sale and $8 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at McClain High School in Mrs. Long's office, located in the gym lobby. Tickets can also be purchased at Jett's Pro Embroidery and Home Building and Loan in Greenfield.
McClain High School will also be providing a pep bus for students. Students are encouraged to buy tickets in advance. Permission forms for the trip can obtained in the high school office. The pep bus will depart at 6 p.m.
The address for Logan High School is 14470 Sr. Rt. 328, Logan, Ohio 43138.