FREDERICKTOWN — Fredericktown girls basketball coach Wes Elifritz has preached all season about being selfless — doing what it takes as an individual to make the team better.
Thursday, his team got to reap the spoils from that selflessness, upsetting Mid-Buckeye Conference leader Centerburg, 43-42.
“We’ve got a great group that’s ready to make the play. We’ve told that to the girls all year long –– be ready when your number is called,” said Elifritz. “It comes back to being selfless. Doing what it takes to help your team win the basketball game. Everybody can step up and make the play. That’s what makes our team a good one to be a part of.”
Jessica Gable stepped up with the biggest play of the night, scoring with 11 seconds left that helped the Freddies (8-7 overall, 6-4 MBC) win the game.
“That was a big shot out of Jess Gable. That’s just total heart,” Elifritz said. “I told the girls, if you can make a play, then make it. That’s what Jess did –– she made a great play.”
That basket helped the Freddies survive a major scare. They had led for most of the game, even pushing the lead to nine points in the third quarter. But, Centerburg (9-7, 8-2) showed its heart and character by getting back in the game and eventually taking the lead when Breanna Campbell banked in a 3-pointer with 1:46 left in the game.
