Making their first appearance in the district finals, and having to play the defending state champions, the Tecumseh girls’ basketball team did exactly what head coach Danielle Thomas wanted them to do.
Play without fear and compete.
The Arrows saw their season come to an end on Saturday, as they lost to Lakota West 68-54 in the Ohio Division One District finals at Harrison High School. It was part of four district games to be played on Saturday.
“These kids completely sold out all tournament long, and once we started clicking, we started to peak at the right time,” Thomas said. “They worked hard against a good team today.”
Tecumseh came out strong behind eight first quarter points from Lindsey Nartker to take a 15-11 lead after one period.
“We came out and were hitting shots and different kids were scoring, it looked like we were going to bust it open,” Thomas said. “Then Lakota West went on a run in the second quarter.”
The Arrows were saddled with foul trouble starting in the second period as the Firebirds went to the line nine times in the first half, while the Arrows went once in the final second of the first half.
“We were handcuffed with foul trouble and didn’t take care of the ball well,” Thomas said about the rough second quarter.
“Our defense was a tenacious as theirs, and I told them after the first quarter that things were working for us and we needed to stick with the game plan.”
Tecumseh trailed 35-25 at the half, as Thomas preached offensive rebounding and turnovers, as Lakota West pressured the Arrows the entire game.
Heading into the fourth, Tecumseh trailed 51-36, but after switching to a full court man defense, the Arrows put it on them. They cut the deficit all the way to within six with 1:45 left, but after missing a scoring opportunity, they had to foul and the Firebirds put them away at the free throw line.
“Our kids are a lot smaller D1 school, and for them to do what they did against Creek, Fairmont, Lakota West are huge D1 schools, I am very proud of them,” Thomas said. “It is hard to repeat, but this is just the beginning. We are going to be taken more serious now.”
Four seniors played their last game, including Nartker and Danielle Franklin, along with Caroline Smith and Rachel League. All have been a key part of this program.
“There is nobody like her, no player like her in the area,” Thomas said. “There are good post players but nobody has all the tools like she has. She’s the total package.”
“Danielle had the hardest change out of anyone. Her role to become a contributor and not a huge scorer made her a better player for us. Also on the defensive end of the court she really stepped up.”
“Caroline can go off any given night, and she’s our best lockdown defender,” Thomas added. “She gave Staples problems in the third quarter when we went diamond and one”.
Also League has been the biggest motivators, very responsible in getting everyone doing what they need to do. Always does more than her fair share according to Thomas.
The Arrows will be a new look team next season, as they only return two starters and their top player off the bench to lead the charge. But with those three blending in with other new kids in the mix, Thomas knows one thing about this group.
They will play without fear and compete.