Alder is powered by star Prochaska


March 17, 2006 at 12:00a.m.


The Pioneers defeated Castalia Margaretta, 63-52, to get another crack at Ursuline.
COLUMBUS -- Foul problems didn't stop Lauren Prochaska this time around.
The first-team All-Ohio selection had 25 points, 18 rebounds, six steals and four assists in a Division III state semifinal Thursday night as Plain City Jonathan Alder defeated Castalia Margaretta 63-52 to reach the championship game.
It was a big change from the semifinals two years ago, when Prochaska, then a star freshman, was saddled with foul problems and the Pioneers lost to Ursuline.
Prochaska scored 21 points in that game, but was limited by what she could do after getting called for her fourth foul with 57.3 seconds remaining in the first half.
Jonathan Alder (25-2) will get another shot at Ursuline in Saturday's championship. The Fighting Irish eliminated Sugarcreek Garaway 39-31 in the other semifinal.
In foul trouble
Against Margaretta (24-2), Prochaska picked up her third foul with 2:21 left in the second quarter and coach Terra McDaniels made her best player spend the rest of the first half on the bench.
Prochaska didn't commit another foul, and she had seven points in the third quarter as Jonathan Alder outscored the Polar Bears 20-12 to open a 50-42 lead.
Jonathan Alder opened the second half on a 10-2 run and maintained its eight-point advantage on Kelcy Moore's 3-pointer just before the third-quarter buzzer. The lead grew to 15 points -- 59-44 -- in the fourth.
Margaretta scored the next eight points to make it 59-52, but failed to get another basket. Jonathan Alder went 4-for-6 at the foul line over the final 1:34 to advance to a rematch with Ursuline.
McDaniels will have decide whether the foul-prone Prochaska, her most athletic player, will guard 2006 Ms. Basketball Tyra Grant in the championship game.
Prochaska's 18 rebounds tied the Division III semifinal record. Jessie Adams added 11 points, and Erica Wehner had 10 points and nine rebounds for Jonathan Alder.
Michele Kuns had 20 points and nine rebounds for Margaretta.