DIVISION III Crestview cruises, begins to prepare for Ursuline

The Rebels and Irish advanced with easy victories.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HANOVERTON -- How does Crestview High girls basketball coach Tanja Simione begin preparing for a district semifinal meeting against state-ranked Ursuline?
"We approach them by taking a couple of days off and staying away from each other," Simione laughed. "Then we're going to come back and just hope to have some dignity and respect against a really good Ursuline team."
Simione knows the task that lies ahead for her fourth-seeded Rebels (18-3) next Thursday. Two seasons ago, they were beaten by Ursuline 56-37 in the district semifinals.
"I remember a couple of years ago, thinking what a great first half we had," Simione said. "Then they applied that pressure on us, and that press is just something that we don't see around here on a regular basis."
After defeating East Palestine 50-37 Thursday in the Division III tournament at United High, Crestview gets another chance at top-seeded Ursuline.
Taking care of business
The Irish (20-2), seeking their fourth straight district title and fifth in the last six seasons, handled United, 82-39, in the first game Thursday.
"They're certainly very confident; we've had a ton of success down here," Ursuline coach Sean Durkin said of his players. "They realize we've played a good schedule and they feel we're prepared.
"We just try to come out and play our brand of basketball, and if somebody can beat us, God bless them," Durkin said.
Senior Courtney Davidson, playing after nursing a left knee injury, and sophomore Tyra Grant combined for 46 points as Ursuline looked strong in motoring toward a district title defense.
"We've been to regionals the last three years, and every year every team wants to get a step further," Davidson said. "State is that step. We have a goal in mind, and we're not going to stop until we get there."
Senior Rebecca Slattery remembers the constant feeling of falling short in the regionals, where the Irish have lost four times since 1999.
"You just want to cry," she said.
And this season?
"We're motivated to win," Slattery said. "We know we have the ability and the talent. We want to do the best we can."
Davidson scored 26 points and Grant 20, while sophomore Vannessa Dickson added 13 for the Irish, who celebrated the return of junior Tiffany Walsh, out much of the season with an injured tailbone.
"That was nice to see," Durkin said of Walsh's return, which came in the third quarter to a loud ovation from Ursuline fans. "She plays defense, she's athletic and she's quick. She adds to our overall team speed."
Juniors Ashley Bergman and Katy Miller each scored 13 points for United (11-11).
Crestview-East Palestine
The Rebels opened a 26-8 halftime lead before East Palestine (7-14) came storming back, cutting its deficit to seven points (40-33) in the third quarter.
"We just dug ourselves too big of a hole in the first half," said East Palestine coach Dan McKinstry, who was missing one of his top scorers in junior Ashley Ehrenberg (dehydration).
Sophomore Brianne Phillis led Crestview with 15 points while senior Katie Kibby added 14 and freshman Elyse Mongillo 12.
East Palestine got nine points from junior Korie Beight.
richesson@vindy.com