MOUNT VERNON — And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for.
In the world of Mid-Buckeye Conference girls basketball, one team has reigned supreme for the last two seasons: the Utica Redskins. Two consecutive league championships — including an undefeated mark in 2006 — and a host of returning players pointed to Utica repeating again in 2007 as MBC champions. And thus far, they’re undefeated in the conference.
But another team will aim to take that away. Fredericktown — also unbeaten in MBC action — will play host to the Redskins on Saturday with a 1 p.m. junior varsity tip. Assuming each team can knock off its MBC foe on Thursday, they’ll be playing for all the marbles.
Until, of course, they match up again in the last game of the season. But Saturday’s winner will likely hold the inside track to an MBC title.
Both coaches were quick to point out that their respective teams have another contest to worry about before Saturday’s game.
“If we can’t take care of Danville on Thursday, then Fredericktown on Saturday really isn’t going to matter,” Utica coach Michelle Snow said.
Fredericktown coach Dave Logan agreed that his team needs to focus first and foremost on Thursday’s game with East Knox.
But if things fall the way they have so far this season, the Freddies will have an opportunity to avenge two losses to the Redskins last season. They finished with just three in the MBC overall, good enough for a tie for second place.
Fredericktown entered the season with the goals of winning the MBC and making a run in the postseason tournament, Logan said. Saturday’s game is another step in that direction.
“It’s always been our ultimate goal to win our conference,” he said. “That hasn’t changed, and hopefully we can change the outcome by having a good effort.”
Players on both sides of the court will see a lot of familiar faces. Fredericktown has started the same five players for the past two seasons, and Utica returns three starters from last year’s 19-2 squad.
Both coaches said the familiarity will give their team an easier time while preparing with just one day of practice to focus on Saturday.
“I don’t know that there’ll be a lot of surprises,” Snow said.
“We’re going to be able to know what we have to work on,” Logan agreed.
Snow and company will be given the task of handling one of the most consistent offenses in the league. Three Fredericktown players scored more than or near double digits for every game. Whitney Levering leads the squad with 17.2 points per game, and Allyn Blakely adds 11.1. Mackenzie Logan averages 9.1 ppg and 9.6 rebounds per contest.
Not to mention the productive Emily Ruggles in the post, and point guard MarkI Overholt, averaging 8.6 assists per game.
“Defensively, we’re just going to have to contain some of their players,” Snow said. “They’re very well-rounded. They can go inside, outside.”
The Redskins aren’t too shabby on the defensive end, and Logan said he knows it. Three Utica players top the News area in steals per game: Sierra Fletcher (4.0), Kandis Walker (3.6) and Kaylee Walker (3.3).
“We’re going to have to focus on handling their relentless pressure on the offensive end,” Logan said.
When Utica has the ball, it has three scorers of its own averaging double figures per game. Fletcher in third in the area with 16.0. Tricia Harvey and Kaylee Walker post just over 10 points each time out.
“From a defensive standpoint, we’re going to have to work on contesting shots because they’ve got some great outside shooters,” Logan said. “And we’ll have to rebound the basketball.”
Her team has a reputation for playing a fast-paced game, and Snow said she has no intention of changing things up for Fredericktown.
“We’re going to play the same style that we’ve played for the last three years,” she said. “We’re not going to change anything as far as what we do offensively. We’re definitely going to play to our strengths.”
While Utica will get its own chance at home on Jan. 31 against Fredericktown, Logan said it should be easier on the Freddies to get their first shot at Utica on the Freddies’ home court.
“You don’t have the travel,” he said. “Saturday mornings aren’t always that much fun getting on the bus.”
But that didn’t deter the Redskins last year, and who’s to say it will again?
What is certain is two teams which have butted heads for the past two seasons — often with championship implications — will get a go at one another once again. The fate of the league crown likely hangs in the balance.
One team wants to hold it. One team wants to take it.
Tipoff is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.