The Irish gave all they had in final against Jonathan Alder
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Toward the end of Saturday's postgame press conference, Ursuline High girls basketball coach Sean Durkin was asked if winning a state title two years ago takes some of the sting away from losing this year's state final.
"Not right now," he said. "It stings right now.
"But we're going to grow from this. Things in life don't always go your way. But I told the girls, 'Even though it stings now, it'll go away and you'll feel a little better on Monday.' "
Despite falling to Plain City Jonathan Alder in the Division III state final, Ursuline's seniors can take solace in knowing they accomplished more than any class in school history.
Ursuline seniors Tyra Grant and Vannessa Dickson were starters on the 2004 state title team, which was led by All-Ohio guard Courtney Davidson. Davidson now plays at Michigan State.
The Irish fell to eventual state champion South Euclid Regina in last year's regional tournament before making their second state tournament appearance in school history this week.
Dream team to coach
This year's team wasn't quite as talented as the 2004 squad, but Durkin said they were a dream to coach.
"These kids gave everything they had," he said. "Effort's never been a problem with these kids. The 2004 team, sometimes it was like pulling teeth. I had to stay on them.
"That's not the case with [this year's] team. They were ready to practice and ready to play hard every day."
Few people even expected Ursuline to be in the state final this season. Regina, which had won five of the last six state titles in Div. III, finished the season ranked first in the state in the Associated Press poll and seemed primed to make another title run.
Regina knocked out
But the Royals were stunned by Garfield Heights Trinity in the regional semifinals and the Irish beat Trinity and Sugarcreek Garaway to advance to the championship game.
"We made a run for it," said Dickson, who finished with four points and eight rebounds against Alder. "We did everything we could."
The Irish defeated Alder in the 2004 state semifinals, something that was lingering in the back of many Pioneers' minds on Saturday.
"The revenge factor did play a role," said Alder coach Terra McDaniels. "But last year, when we didn't get back here, that was the biggest factor. We worked so hard to get back here and win it."
Alder much improved
Durkin, who has also won state baseball titles at Ursuline as a coach (2000) and as a player (1988), knew Alder had gotten better over the past two years, which is why he wasn't surprised to see them play so well Saturday.
"When we saw them on Thursday [in the state semifinals], we were very impressed," said Durkin. "A lot of their girls played on the team two years ago and it was very obvious they had gotten better.
"They're a very impressive team."