Irish seek repeat win over Alder Ursuline beat the Pioneers 59-43 in the state semifinals in 2004.

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Ursuline girls basketball coach Sean Durkin has only seen Plain City Jonathan Alder play twice this season, but he's already noticed something.
"They're a lot better than they were two years ago," he said. "I think there's four or five players who played against us the first time and now a lot of those girls are seniors."
Durkin's team defeated Alder 59-43 in the 2004 Division III state semifinals. They'll meet again at 2 p.m. today in the state championship game at Ohio State's Value City Arena.
"We match up better than we did two years ago," said Alder coach Terra McDaniels. "We're just as fast and just as athletic. It's going to be two athletic teams, so it should be a good matchup."
Ursuline (22-4) defeated Sugarcreek Garaway 39-31 on Thursday despite losing the tempo battle, something Durkin was worried about.
He won't have to worry about that today.
"[Today's] game should be a lot more fluid," he said. "We're a fast-break kind of team and [Garaway] slowed the game down and limited our fast break. I'm happy we were able to win that type of game because we're not used to playing like that."
Defense
Garaway relied on a zone defense and a physical style of play to slow Irish senior Tyra Grant, who finished with 17 points (14 below her average) in her first game since being named Ms. Basketball. Grant was also battling the flu but should be close to full strength today.
"She's feeling much better," said Durkin. "We had practice [Friday] morning and she was laughing and joking and being her normal self. I don't think her health will be an issue [today]."
The Pioneers (25-2) are also a zone team and Durkin expects them to focus much of their attention on stopping Grant. Of course, it's hard to say what they plan to do exactly. When one reporter asked who she would have guarding Grant, McDaniels snapped, "That's for me to know and you to find out."
Ursuline has seen a variety of zones this season -- Garaway played a diamond-and-one -- and most teams have tried to slow the tempo. The difference on Thursday was how effective it was.
"They were very good at it," said Durkin. "They bumped Tyra and tried to take her out of the game as much as possible. They were well-coached and well-prepared for us."
Main concern
Durkin's main concern will be Alder junior Lauren Prochaska, a two-time first team all-Ohioan who was a freshman starter on the 2004 team. Prochaska picked up four fouls two years ago and was forced to sit much of the game. She hasn't totally kicked that habit -- Prochaska had three fouls in the first half of Thursday's state semifinal win over Castalia Margaretta.
"It was same old, same old," said McDaniels. "Another day, another foul for Lauren."
Prochaska, a 5-11 post player, averages 25 points per game. She scored 25 against Margaretta and grabbed 18 rebounds to tie the state semifinal record. She also had six steals and four assists.
On the flip side, she shot just 9 of 25 from the field.
"It's awesome to be back here and have a second chance to win a state title," Prochaska, who shared player of the year honors with Grant in Div. III, said. "We're going to be focused and ready to play on Saturday."
scalzo@vindy.com