Lady Eddies hold off Coloma, 33-29

Published 2:36 am Thursday, February 14, 2008

By By DON EDEN / Edwardsburg Argus
COLOMA – The Lady Eddies basketball team had to win both games in the final week to finish even in both overall and Lakeland Conference contests.
Mission accomplished in the initial game as Edwardsburg (8-9; 6-7) outscored host Coloma (2-16; 1-12) 33-29 in a hard fought battle.
A 7-2 lead after two minutes by the Lady Eddies was quickly erased the following two minutes as Coloma scored the next 10 points and finished the first stanza with a 12-10 advantage.
Both teams were in foul trouble and changing the score became difficult so Coloma coach Curt Mead wanted the last shot before half with two minutes remaining. Senior Shira Bridgeman took a pass under the basket to score her10th point and a 18-13 intermission lead.
"We wanted that last shot because of the foul trouble and it worked perfectly," noted Mead. "I will take a five point lead at halftime anytime and credit our defense to hold Edwardsburg to 13 points.
"It was definitely a good start that we needed in a very physical game," said Eddie mentor Diane Robertson. "Coloma is a much improved team that you can't underestimate."
An evenly played third stanza kept Coloma ahead 26-21 to upset the Lady Eddies but Bridgeman picked up her fourth foul and scored her only two points of the half as she took the ball full court with seven seconds left for a layup.
Stalwart senior star Stephanie Koontz of Edwardsburg scored 16 of her 21 points in the second half and even a missed free throw worked when classmate Lindsay Harroff rebounded the miscue. Harroff collected the 2 for 1 discount by banking in the shot.
The home court did not prove beneficial for Coloma as some questionable calls and technicals (Coloma 2-1) allowed the Lady Eddies to take the lead 30-29 with a pair of Koontz charity tosses with just under a minute left.
"We did well from the free throw line when we needed them which has been a weakness this year," Robertson stated. "It was good to come from behind with a strong fourth quarter which hopefully will be a positive Friday at home against Brandywine."
Rebounding in the second half was the biggest difference as the visitors doubled the seven caroms by Coloma to thwart any upset.
"It was an emotional, hard fought game that both teams deserved to win," remarked Mead. "Koontz played a tough great game and love to watch her play but I'm happy to see her graduate."
Coloma did manage to win the junior varsity game as the all freshmen (except one) squad defeated Edwardsburg 30-24 to avenge an earlier setback. Frosh Olivia Zvoner of Coloma and Jennifer Mackling of Edwardsburg were the leading scorers with 17 and seven points respectively with junior Jessica McHenry finishing one point behind Mackling.