GIRLS BASKETBALL Division III state final

Who: Ursuline vs. Plain City Jonathan Alder
Game time: 2 p.m. today at Ohio State's Value City Arena.
Radio: WNIO-AM 1390
URSULINE (22-4)
Starters: Tiffani Miller (5-9, Sr., F) 5.1 ppg; Danielle Crafter (5-10, Jr., F) 2.8 ppg; Tyra Grant (5-11, Sr., G) 30.4 ppg; Vannessa Dickson (5-8, Sr., G) 10.3 ppg; Mariah Snyder (5-6, Sr., G) 3.8 ppg.
Notebook: The Irish defeated Sugarcreek Garaway 39-31 in Thursday's state semifinals. Today's game is a rematch of the 2004 state semifinal, which the Irish won 59-43. Ursuline then defeated Oak Hill 66-52 for the state title. Grant and Dickson were both starters on that state championship team. Dickson averages about 10 points per game but had two points, two rebounds and one assist against Garaway. "We're expecting her to step up big [today]," Durkin said of Dickson. "She's the kind of kid who can score 15 points." Miller is the Irish's best defender, but it was her offense that made the difference against the Pirates. She scored eight points, including four in the final minute. Snyder and Crafter are solid defenders who can score if given the opportunity. Juniors Mary Hendricks and Megan Saccomen and sophomore Brittany Armour are the Irish's main reserves -- all three saw time on Thursday -- and senior Jenna Klempay and sophomore Tim'Aira Gandy could also see time.
ALDER (25-2)
Starters: Jessie Adams (5-10, Sr., P) 9.2 ppg; Erica Wehner (5-7, Sr., P) 5.7 ppg; Lauren Prochaska (5-11, Jr., G) 24.8 ppg; Brianna Votaw (5-8, Sr., G) 8.8 ppg; Megan Cooper (5-5, Sr., G) 2.7 ppg.
Notebook: Alder, which finished second in the final state poll, is making its second state tournament appearance. Prochaska, a three-year starter, is a two-time first team all-Ohioan. "She's a phenomenal player," said Durkin. "And they have three or four girls who can shoot the 3. They do a lot of things well." Prochaska's only weakness is a propensity for getting into foul trouble. She had three fouls in the first half of Thursday's game and picked up four two years ago against Ursuline. "We're going to try and attack her as much as we can," said Durkin. "They play a lot of zone so it's going to be tough, but we're certainly not going to back off anytime we have a chance to go at her. They're a different team when she's not on the floor." Adams and Wehner are also scoring threats -- they each scored in double figures on Thursday. Coach Terra McDaniels is 72-6 in three years at the school. Before 2004, Alder had not won a district title. "I've seen them twice in person and we have a little film on them," said Durkin. "We'll be ready for them."
Joe Scalzo