Grove's furious comeback falls short against Patriots

BLUFFTON – Patrick Henry girls basketball coach Justin Sonnenberg had every reason to be ecstatic with the way defense had played during the second quarter of its regional semifinal with Columbus Grove Thursday. The Patriots, after holding a 15-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, shut the Bulldogs out 10-0 in the second, and went to the break up, 25-12. "Proud of our defense to put up a goose egg against a team like Columbus Grove," Sonnenberg said. "It says a lot about your defense." But Sonnenberg wasn't celebrating just yet. "You know they're not gonna go away, you know they're not gonna give up," Sonnenberg said of the Bulldogs. "We had to be ready for anything coming out in that third quarter." Columbus Grove did rally, pulling within eight points of the Patriots after three quarters, and then pulling within two with just under three minutes left in regulation. But the Patriots – who lost to Columbus Grove in the Division VI regional final in Bluffton last season – managed to hold on. They clamped down on defense and made enough free throws to hold off the Bulldogs, 48-41. The Patriots had already beaten Columbus Grove in the regular season in January, 60-42. But Sonnenberg said he knew tonight would be different. "Columbus Grove is a great team, they're well-coached, they have great players," he said. "It's hard to beat a great team twice. We knew it wasn't gonna be easy." Patrick Henry (22-3) advanced into Saturday's regional final at 6 p.m. on Saturday, back at Bluffton University. It will take on Margaretta, which defeated Ottawa Hills in Thursday's second game. For Columbus Grove, the second quarter was a nightmare. It ended the first quarter down just 15-12, but then shot 0 of 12 from the floor in the second, turning the ball over three times. Many of the attempts were decent; they just didn't fall. Grove coach Brian Schroeder was asked how long it had been since his team – Division VI state champions a year ago – had a quarter like that. "Not since we played (Patrick Henry) last time, actually," Schroeder said. Still, Schroeder wasn't about to panic at halftime. His players didn't, either. "When you're on the ropes a little bit, you've got to believe that you can still win the game," he said. "It didn't take much of a speech from me." Right at the start of the third quarter, two things were different. First, the Bulldogs switched from zone to man defense. "We really don't practice our man defense in practice, we just lock in on our zone," Schroeder said. Second, the Bulldogs started hitting shots. Nicole Nesby – the Division VI Northwest District Player of the year, who finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds – scored two quick buckets. Defensively, Grove forced five turnovers in the third, and began to climb back. In the fourth, down 43-34 with 5 ½ minutes left, the Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run, pulling to within 43-41 when Nesby converted a layup. But the Bulldogs didn't score again. "We weathered the storm and found a way to win," Sonnenberg said, "and that's what matters right now." Patrick Henry freshman Meyta Hieber scored a game-high 15 points coming off the bench. "She's a freshman but she plays well beyond her years," Sonnenberg said. "She's extremely strong, smart basketball player. Great shooter, plays great defense. We need her out on the floor; she continues to make great plays for us." Carys Crossland added 11 points for the Patriots, while Ella Christman added nine. Ada Christman had a team-best 10 rebounds to go with seven points. Kendal Palte scored 12 points for the Bulldogs, while Lydia Sarka added seven points and seven rebounds. Both coaches noted afterward how this game was similar to last year's regional final between the two teams. In that one, Columbus Grove got off to a fast start, while Patrick Henry couldn't buy a bucket. The Patriots made a furious rally, but couldn't complete it. This year, there was a role reversal. "It definitely mirrored – in the wrong way – last year's game," Schroeder said. PATRICK HENRY (22-3) Hieber 6-1—15; C. Crossland 4-3—11; Guelde 1-0—3; E. Christman 3-2—9; A. Christman 3-1—7; K. Crossland 1-0—3. TOTALS: 18-44—7-17—48. COLUMBUS GROVE (22-4) Calvelage 2-0—5; Benroth 1-0—3; Sarka 3-0—7; Palte 5-0—12; Nesby 5-4—14. TOTALSL 16-47—4-10—41. Patrick Henry 15 10 12 11 –48 Columbus Grove 12 0 15 14 – 41 3-POINT GOALS: Patrick Henry 5- 17 (Hieber 2, Guelde, E. Christman, K. Crossland); Columbus Grove 5-18 (Palte 2, Calvelage, Benroth, Sarka). REBOUNDS: Patrick Henry 35 (A. Christman 10; K. Crossland 7); Columbus Grove 30 (Nesby 10, Sarka 7) TURNOVERS: Patrick Henry 9; Columbus Grove 9.