Defense wins championships.
You’ve heard that mantra many times in many sports.
Now, the Lindsay Holy Family Lady Bulldogs are further proof off its validity.
Holy Family, seeded 6th in the Class D2 field of the Nebraska Girls State Basketball Tournament, used stifling defense to reel off three victories in Lincoln March 4-6, claiming the 2010 D2 championship with a 40-37 victory over previously unbeaten Wynot Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Lindsay Holy Family (22-2) also defeated #3 seed Hay Springs and #7 Lawrence-Nelson, holding its three tournament opponents to an average of just 32.6 points per game.
“This is one of those things everyone dreams about,” said Holy Family Coach Travis Friesen. “When it comes to fruition, it’s rewarding. Hopefully it motivates kids to realize hard work does pay off.”
Defeating the 25-0 Wynot Blue Devils, who had knocked off #1 seeded and top-ranked Chambers in the semi-finals, definitely fell in the ‘hard work’ category.
As throughout the tourney, Bulldog defense proved to be the key. Holy Family forced 15 Wynot turnovers in the second half and held the Devils scoreless in the crucial final minute-and-a-half of play.
“They rose to the occasion and played very well,” praised Friesen following the contest. “They got the stops they needed.”
Holy Family trailed late before Andrea Weeder knotted the score at 37-37 on a free throw with less than two minutes remaining. Moments later, Weeder made another Bulldog steal and drove for the score that gave Lindsay its final and most important lead.
“She came up big. Good players are supposed to do that,” said Friesen. “I had told her to be careful. With four fouls, she got the steal and she capitilized.”
Weeder added Holy Family’s final point by sinking 1-of-2 free throws with a minute to play and the Lady ‘Dog defense took it from there. Despite missing four additional free throws, Holy Family denied Wynot over the final 60 seconds and, soon after, the jubilant Bulldogs raised their championship trophy.
Holy Family began its title run Thursday by crushing Hay Springs 59-27 at Lincoln High School.
LHF followed that sparkling first-round performance with a hard-fought 38-34 decision over Lawrence-Nelson in Friday’s semi-final round at Pershing Auditorium.
Complete Details in Print & Online Editions of Albion News.
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