Vertanen, a quiet reserve, is smashing in semifinal

The sophomore was in the right spot when Canfield was struggling against Eastwood.
By GEORGE WELKER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Pat Pavlansky had a feeling Thursday during an afternoon shoot-around at Upper Arlington High School.
But, he didn't want to say anything. He was afraid he'd spoil it.
In his mind, though, he kept an eye on Jill Vertanen.
During the Division II state semifinal Thursday, the Eastwood Eagles should have kept an eye on her as well.
Hit big ones: The 5-foot-10 sophomore hit nearly every big shot the Cardinals needed, lifting them to a shot at the state championship.
"Jill was awesome," Pavlansky said. "Jill got the open shots, and she stroked them. She was a timid kid at the beginning of the year. There was nothing timid about her tonight."
Vertanen didn't miss a shot against Eastwood, knocking down 5-of-5 field goals, plus two free throws for 12 points.
"Normally I don't shoot that much," she said, shyly. "I like to pass it out. But, today I was open and they gave me some good looks."
Vertanen described her season average as probably two or four points a game, and noted that her season high was 14, although she couldn't recall against who that total came, downplaying her role.
"I just have to pick up the slack," Vertanen said of her role as a reserve. "I can't stop playing and have the game slow down just because I'm in there."
Thursday there was no slack as Vertanen filled in for Jenny Miller, Canfield's senior guard, who was in foul trouble.
"I knew we could get some open shots on the weakside against their zone," Pavlansky said of Vertanen's opportunities. "I knew we could, no matter what zone they played."
Still, Vertanen didn't expect to be in the role handed to her.
"That doesn't usually happen, but my teammates were penetrating and it opened up spots for where I was," she said. "I was just on today."