Shelbyville Lady Golden Bears Basketball

Sports Monday, November 20, 2000 Last Updated: Monday, November 20, 2000 at 12:33 PM Bears bust loose, beat Bulldogs By JEFF BROWN Monday, November 20, 2000 at 3:32 PM COLUMBUS — Throughout the course of the season, coaches circle several games on the calendar as having special meaning or importance. Saturday’s girls’ basketball game at Columbus North High School had both special meaning and importance to Shelbyville coach John Fair. In each of his first two seasons, Fair’s Golden Bears were undefeated (4-0 in 1999 and 5-0 in 1998) before playing Columbus North. And in each of those two seasons, after the game, the Golden Bears were no longer undefeated. So in a season with high hopes, an earlier-than-usual contest with the host Bulldogs presented a interesting challenge. This year, Shelbyville proved it was ready. Fueled by a 26-point second quarter, solid free-throw shooting (18 of 27) and a deep bench (10 players scored), the Golden Bears improved to 2-0 with their second 68-55 win of the season. Shelbyville defeated Greensburg on Nov. 11, 68-55, to open this season. With its loss, Columbus North dropped to 2-1. “Our first goal was to beat Greensburg,” said Fair after the game. “But you always want to beat Columbus North, and I’m really happy that we did.” Fair has preached since the opening day of practice that the talented Golden Bears will only be successful with solid play from the center position. That puts plenty of pressure on sophomore Katie Douglas and freshman Haley Wise. “I’ve told our post players that without them we are an average team,” said Fair. “But with them, we are a very good team.” That fact Columbus North realized after Douglas and Wise’s combined 26-point, 10-rebound performance. Wise played a key role off the bench in the crucial second quarter that saw Shelbyville take control of the game. A Gwen Haehl 3-pointer, the first of the freshman’s varsity career, cut the lead back to one, 19-18 just 50 seconds into the second quarter. On Columbus North’s next possession, Wise would grab the rebound and trigger a fast-break that resulted in a Susan Kolls baseline-jumper that gave the Golden Bears their first lead since early in the first quarter. Wise would again grab another missed Bulldogs’ shot on the next possession and, once again, start the Golden Bears’ fast-break that resulted in a Gwen Haehl layup. On Shelbyville’s next possession following a Columbus North timeout, Sarah Laird found Wise open near the basket. The freshman pivoted and scored to increase the Shelbyville lead to 24-19. The Golden Bears would never trail again despite the efforts of Columbus North’s dynamic-scoring backcourt of sophomore Tina Bolte and freshman Katie Kuperus. Combined, the Bulldogs’ guards scored 19 of their team’s 29 first-half points, but Columbus North still trailed 40-29. With Shelbyville’s relentless pressure continuing to wear on her team, Bolte took it upon herself to try to keep them close. Playing the point guard position, Bolte routinely dribbled the ball up-court and charged to the basket, launching shot after shot in an attempt to score. Bolte did score seven of Columbus North’s 11 third-quarter points, but it wouldn’t be enough. She did end with a game-high 23 points but on just 9 of 25 shooting (36 percent). Kuperus finished with 11 points — all of which came in the first half. “Shelbyville played well and made it hard for us to get into our offense,” said Columbus North coach Debbie Marr. “Then when it looked like we couldn’t get into our offense, Tina felt she had to take over because we were getting just one pass and one shot.” Wise would finish the game with a team-high 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Douglas scored 12 points before fouling out. Gretchen Haehl and Jenni Ross each added eight points for the Golden Bears. Wise had a team-high seven rebounds. Susan Kolls and Ross each grabbed six rebounds. “Douglas has been struggling in practice and struggled in the first game, so it was nice for her to have a positive experience,” said Fair. “And Wise has been working so hard and she came out ‘busting’ tonight. She is so composed and mature for a freshman.” And with nothing but respect for Bolte and Kuperus, Fair said he felt like the better team won the game this year. “Greensburg had one really good player and Columbus North has two really good players, but I feel like we have 11 really good players,” Fair said. “It’s nice to see our second unit on the floor, and we’re stretching the lead.” Shelbyville returns to action Tuesday when they host Oldenburg Academy at Garrett Gymnasium.