Mohawks go for district crown

Madeira hopes to slow tempo in championship game today.

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer 2:03 AM Saturday, March 6, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — It’s going to be a contrast in styles when the Madison and Madeira high school girls basketball teams meet at 11 a.m. today, March 6, in the Division III district championship at Springfield High School.

The Amazons (15-7) are a deliberate, patient offense, while the Mohawks (23-0) are more of an up-tempo, run the floor kind of squad.

The team that controls the tempo is going to be successful, both coaches said.

“They want the score to be in the 30s and we want it to be in the 60s,” Madison coach John Rossi Jr. said. “That’s why the first few minutes of the game will be so critical.

“We really just have to play to our strengths and not worry about them,” he continued. “We’ve got to pressure the ball defensively, get rebounds and run the floor.”

The Mohawks have averaged 68.4 points per game this season, while the Amazons have averaged 41.2.

“We can’t turn the ball over,” Madeira coach Dave Schlensker said. “That is a monumental task.

“The team is excited to be here, but they know it’s David versus Goliath,” he continued. “I’ve seen Madison play and they are the real deal. They’re very impressive, but you still have to put five kids out there and play the game.”

Madeira graduated five seniors from last year’s squad, and also have had to endure the loss of point guard Anne Gulick, who had a season-ending ACL injury in December.

The Amazons are led by three-year starter Gretchen Staubach, a 5-foot-10 senior, who averages 13.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game and shoots 53 percent from the floor and 71 percent from the free-throw line.

While the Amazons are young and inexperienced, the tournament-tested Mohawks reached the D-III regional finals a year ago.

They are led by junior Ally Malott (18.0 points per game) and senior Lindsay Hoskins (13.9 ppg).

“Our girls have had a very business-like approach this year,” Rossi said. “We’re excited about playing in the district. They know what’s at stake.

“You’ve got to have some vision,” he continued. “I told them to go home a dream about cutting down the nets. We haven’t cut any down yet this year. (Today) would be a good day to do that.”

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