2002 IHSAA Class 4A
Terre Haute South got a big
night from its junior center and staked claim to its first girlsbasketball state title with a 63-42 victory over South Bend Riley in the Class
4A championship game at Conseco Fieldhousein
Third-ranked Terre Haute South had a decided height advantage with 6-6 junior center ReicinaRussell roaming the paint. Russell tallied Class 4A records for scoring with 31 points and seven blocked shots and affected numerous other Riley attempts. The Braves constantly passed over the top of the Riley defense to Russell for easy layins. Russell scored 20 points and had five blocks in the first half alone.
Melanie Boeglinwas the only other Brave in double figures with 10 points.
Juniors SuntanaGranderson and Crystal Norman, Rileys two scoring leaders, did most of the damage for the Wildcats. Both chalked up 19 points and seven rebounds each, but no other Riley player scored more than two points.
The Braves, making their first appearance in the state finals, finished a 25-2 championship season under 20th year coach Alan Maroska.
Unranked South Bend Riley, also making it first trip to the finals, completed a 24-4 year under eighth-year coach Mike Megyesi.
Click for Final Box Score
Game Notes
TH Souths Darci Rector Selected For Roy Mental Attitude Award
Darci Rector of
Academically, Rector ranks 10th in her senior class of 360 students.
She has served as her classVice President all four years and is a member of the National
Honor Society. Rector was named her schools Homecoming Queen last fall. She
intends to study pharmacy at
Athletically, she leads the team in field goal percentage at 72%. Besides basketball, Rector was a three year participant in volleyball for the Braves.
The award in named after Patricia L. Roy, the former assistant commissioner of the IHSAA, who is regarded both statewide and nationally as a pioneer in girlsathletics. It is presented annually in each classification of the state finals to a senior who best displays mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability and was nominated by her principal and coach.
Farm Bureau Insurance, the
IHSAA corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to
Six Records Set Or Tied In Class 4A Game
Most Points Scored 31 points by Reicina Russell, Terre Haute South.
Most Field Goals Made 14 by Reicina Russell, Terre Haute South.
Most Blocked Shots 7 by Reicina Russell,
Most Combined Blocked Shots 10 by Terre Haute South (7) and
Most Assists 7 by Kristen Clary,
Most Combined Fouls 36 by Terre Haute South (19) and
Granderson Finishes 26th In2001-02 State Scoring
South Bend Riley junior guardSuntana Granderson finished with 19 points, just shy of her 20.9 average for the season. She finishes the year with 548 points for a 20.8 average for 26th on this seasons state scoring leaders list.
State Finals Photographs and Team Posters
Visit the website of 20-20 Photographic, the IHSAAs official photographer for its state championship events. The company will display action photographs from this years Girls Basketball State Finals during the week following the state finals that you may purchase. Also for sale will be team posters commemorating your schools path to the state finals.
State Finals Programs Available
Couldnt be there for the
girls basketball state finals? You can still purchase a copy of the official
state finals program while supplies last! Programs are $3.00 if you purchase in person at the
IHSAA Office (
Quotes
On T.H. Souths Reicina Russell I think ReicinaRussell was the difference in the game.Its just so tough to defend someone of her size (66).They (T.H. South) lobbed to her all night and we tried to front the post, but shes just too good.When she gets it two feet from the basket, she is going to score.66 is tough to defend.
Im so proud of my kids.Its a great accomplishment to be here and theyre already talking about coming back next year.Its truly the experience of a lifetime for these girls and I hope we will get to experience it again next year.
On the youth of S.B. Riley We had two or three freshman on the floor tonight and all of them gained invaluable experience.They got a taste of what its like to play in a game of this magnitude.Everyone returning is saying that well be back (next year), and I hope theyre right.
They (T.H. South) did a great job of attacking the basket with (Reicina) Russellandpressuring the ball on the perimeter.Some of my teammates came out nervous but I wasnt.If anything, our starting five seemed to be a little over-excited.Im just excited to be here and hope well be wearing the blue ribbons next year.
Terre Haute South Head Coach Alan Maroska
We had a nice little run there when they (S.B. Riley) pulled to within three at 33-30.With the strength of the MIC (Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference) opponents, I felt like it was a sink or swim situation and I think that really helped us get to the championship game.
(Reicina) Russell had the effort tonight because the kids were willing to get her the ball.Before the game, we talked about going inside and then moving outside because of the jitters.Then in the second half you could begin to see us relax a little bit.
Kristen Clary and Darci Rector both hit shots in the third quarter that I felt put a dagger in their (S.B. Riley) heart.I felt they had two or three outstanding players, and what an effort they gave tonight.We knew it had to be a total team effort both offensively and defensively to win this game.
All of the fans at the game rooting for us really got our energy pumping.I felt the rhythm in the first half, the guards did a great job of getting me the ball and its pretty easy getting a shot off because of my size.
