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Madison Notes -- Eagles’ speed surprised Mohawks

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12:41 AM Sunday, March 21, 2010

By John Bombatch and Skip Weaver

Staff Writers

COLUMBUS — The Liberty-Benton Eagles weren’t as tall as the Madison Mohawks, but they were a bit quicker. They used that team speed to claim a 66-44 win in Saturday’s Division III state title game at the Schottenstein Center.

“Most teams we’ve played all season long have had a size advantage on us. So it wasn’t anything new to us as far as having a disadvantage size wise,” Eagles coach Nate Irwin said. “They were the biggest team we played, but we had to run the floor and hopefully wear them down. We wanted to play a little faster than they wanted to play, and hopefully that would affect their shooting.”

After the game, Madison coach John Rossi admitted he was surprised by the Eagles’ speed.

All-Ohio first-team selection Amanda Hyde and teammate Caite Craft were two key reasons that the Eagles were able to run past Madison. Hyde led all scorers with 23 points. Craft finished with 19.

“We play well together because we get along so well off the court,” Hyde said. “We’re all good friends, we hang out together. We just have really good chemistry and it helps us out a ton on the court. We’re not in it for ourselves. We’re not selfish, and people can’t specifically guard one player. I think that’s why we got the win today.”

Best of the best

Madison’s defensive scoring average of allowing just 31.3 points per game was the best of the 16 teams that made it to the championship round in Columbus.

The 66 points surrendered on Saturday, however, was a season high.

Season low

Madison’s 44 points in the title game were the lowest amount scored by the Mohawks all season. The team’s previous low came on Dec. 3, 2009 in the season opening 47-34 win over Waynesville.

Six more treys

Liberty-Benton made six more 3-point field goals in their state championship win on Saturday, March 20 giving them a season total of 235. According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Web site, that mark ranks second all-time.

The 2007-08 Lima Bath girls team holds the single-season mark with 241.

Eagles money at the free-throw line

The Eagles shot 85.7 percent, or 24-of-28, from the free-throw line against Madison. They hit 16-of-16 in the second half.

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