Sometimes when you are young, you need to put your finger in the water to see how hot it is. Tonight from Tinora High School was one of those nights for the Tinora Lady Rams as they welcomed in defending GMC champions, the Fairview Lady Apaches.
Lady Rams head coach Kyle Tietje and staff have been preaching patience the past few years, tonight’s game would go a long way to determine if the young Lady Rams were ready to take the next step, and step into the prime time slot.
A packed house at Tinora saw a sluggish start for both squads turn into a fast pace first quarter, Fairview ended the quarter scoring the final six points over the last 90 seconds, leading after one period16-10.
As the second quarter started, the Lady Apaches of Fairview started to roll, stretching the lead to eight midway through, then to 12 as the first half came to an end. The Apaches D held the Tinora offense to just 19 points, taking a 31-19 lead to the locker room.
Lady Rams freshman sensation Nova Okuley was held scoreless in the initial half, as well as the lone senior, Amanda Meyer.
Tinora’a Anna Gray single handily tried to keep the Lady Rams in the game, scoring 10 first half points, leading Tinora.
Fairview was paced by Allison Rhodes, and Kelly Crites, both tallying eight first half points.
As we have learned most of this young season, the Lady Rams coaching staff is rather good at making halftime adjustments, and adjust they did.
Coming out of the half bombing away, and suffocating defense allowed the Lady Rams to grad a 36-35 lead midway through the third. Both Meyer and Nova Okuley exploded in the third to propel the Lady Rams to a 26 point third quarter, grabbing a 45-41 lead after three. Meyer had 13 in the quarter, Okuley with five. Tinora junior Anna Frazier with a huge bucket and a free throw at the end of the quarter to close the Lady Rams rally.
The fourth quarter would see the Lady Rams dig in and hold on. Tinora again started the quarter on fire, taking a 52-45 lead just two minutes in. A three by Nova Okuley and a baseline Meyer jumper, and another Okuley bucket, increased the Tinora lead to start the final stanza.
Over the next six minutes, all the training, coaching, and individual practice would prove their worth. Increasing the lead to 56-48 on a Meyer three. Five minutes was all that remained on the clock, which seemed like an eternity to all Ram fans in attendance.
The Lady Rams would increase their lead to 10, only to see the defending champs rally, cutting the Tinora lead to just three with two minutes remaining, 56-53.
Heading to the free throw line over the next 90 seconds would be huge for the Lady Rams. Free throws by Emily Harr, Liv Mueller and a huge put back by Meyer enabled the Lady Rams to hold on for a 61-57 win over Fairview.
The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to the Lady Rams lone senior, Amanda Meyer. Meyer with a career high of 20 points, all in the second half.
With the win, the Lady Rams improve to 8-2 on the season, starting the GMC at 1-0.
Tinora has a few days to enjoy the win before they welcome in NWOAL power, the Wauseon Indians, to Tinora on 12/21.
Fairview falls to 5-4, the Lady Apaches will travel to Patrick Henry on 12/20.
Thanks to all who came out to Tinora tonight, and all who tuned in on YouTube.
This is one of the biggest wins for the Lady Rams basketball program in the past five seasons, congratulations to the girls and staff for all the hard work and dedication.
Quarter by quarter
1st quarter: 16-10 Fairview
2nd quarter: 31-19 Fairview
3rd quarter: 45-41 Tinora
Final: 61-57 Tinora
Tinora:
Amanda Meyer 20 points (2 3 pointers) 6 rebounds
Nova Okuley 11 points (2 3 pointers) 3 rebounds
Anna Gray 10 points (1 3 pointer) 5 rebounds
Liv Mueller 8 points (1 3 pointer)
Addison Lee 5 points (1 3 pointer) 5 rebounds
Emily Harr 4 points 4 rebounds
Anna Frazer 3 points
Fairview:
Allison Rhodes 17 points 5 rebounds
Carrie Zeedyk 16 points 10 rebounds
Kelly Crites 15 points 11 rebounds
Haley Hammer 6 points (2 3 pointers)
Kaitlyn Zeedyk 3 points (1 3 pointer)
Team Rebounds:
Tinora- 27
Fairview- 29
Team Turnovers:
Tinora- 14
Fairview- 13
Team 3 pointers:
Tinora- 7-22
Fairview- 3-16
JV Score: Tinora 47-24
Sierra Brown with 12, Aaliyah Dombroff 11, Dakota Schaffner 10 for the Lady Rams JV
Updated Records
Varsity- 8-2
JV- 9-1
