Second half struggles costly for Wildcats

VANDALIA - The anticipated defensive matchup between Minster and Fort Loramie lived up to expectations.

In the end, though, the Fort Loramie defense was just too much for Minster.

The Wildcats went scoreless for nearly 6 1/2 minutes in the second half, allowing Fort Loramie to go on an 8-0 run that held up for a 36-30 win in the Division IV girls basketball regional semifinal at the Student Activity Center at Vandalia-Butler High School.

The Redskins (23-4), the defending state champions, will face the winner of tonight's semifinal between Jackson Center and Miami Valley School on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for a berth to the state final four in Columbus.

The first half went back and forth between the teams. Minster was up by as many as four points in the second quarter at 14-10 only to have Fort Loramie come back thanks to two-time Shelby County League player of the year Jessica Boerger, who scored the final 11 points of the first half for the Redskins. An old-fashioned three-point play by Boerger with 2:15 left in the half gave Fort Loramie the lead at 17-16. At the half, the Redskins held a 22-20 lead.

"They took the game right at us," Minster coach Nann Stechschulte. "We were kind of on our heels in the second quarter."

The first half of the third quarter played out much like the first half, but the tide started to turn after Lindsay Roetgerman tied the game at 24-24 for Minster with 5:06 remaining in the third. That basket, however, was the last time Minster scored in the quarter. Maddi Brandewie put Loramie back in front to stay with 4:41 left at 26-24 as the Wildcats mixed missed shot attempts and turnovers on ensuing possessions. Holly Frey and Boerger scored to push the lead to 30-24 at the end of the quarter.

"Their defense was smothering. We couldn't get anything going," Stechschulte said. "The only one who was getting going was Courtney (Prenger)."

Fort Loramie coach Carla Siegel praised the defensive play of Olivia Quinter, who did not play in the teams' regular season meeting won by Minster.

"She did a great job guarding 5 and 14 (Roetgerman and Rosie Westerbeck). She guarded their point guard. She was everywhere," Siegel said. "She got steals in the passing lanes."

The Redskin lead went up to 32-24 to start the fourth quarter before a Prenger free throw with 6:40 remaining ended Minster's cold spell. Both teams experienced a chill in the final quarter as neither team could score a field goal and all points came from the foul line. Minster tried to claw back its way at the stripe. Ali Borgerding hit a pair of free throws to cut Loramie's lead to 32-27 with 5:28 to go. Two minutes later, Hannah Schmitmeyer got a pair of free throws to fall to cut the deficit to three at 32-29.

Three points was all the closer Minster got the rest of the way. Turnovers, missed baskets and free throws hampered the Wildcats down the stretch. Fort Loramie's Olivia Quinter and Frey knocked down free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

"At halftime, we talked about attacking. We tried but weren't able to get anything going offensively," Stechschulte said. "(Fort Loramie's) defense just shut us down. That was the story."

"Minster's a good team. We knew this would be a battle," Siegel said. "They play great defense. We play great defense."

Boerger led Fort Loramie with 20 points thanks to 7-of-9 shooting from the foul line.

Prenger finished with 14 points for Minster. Westerbeck scored eight points in the first half but was held scoreless in the second half.