SARAHSVILLE −”Molly Van Fleet worked her tail off tonight. She really stepped up with an exceptional night of defensive work.”
Those words from Shenandoah girls head coach Roman Thompson summarized the blueprint for the Zeps’ 57-38 victory over the visiting Strasburg Tigers on Monday, Jan. 12. In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the state’s top-ranked girls basketball programs, it was a defensive masterclass that allowed Shenandoah to maintain its unblemished record of 13-0.
Neutralizing Strasburg’s All-Ohio performer
Tasked with the daunting assignment of fronting Strasburg’s three-time All-Ohio post player Ally Miller, Van Fleet anchored a defensive effort that held the Division VII No. 6 ranked Tigers (9-3) to a season-low point total in absorbing the road setback.
“I thought our defense tonight was very good,” Thompson said. “We had a strategy to front their big girl, Ally Miller. She was the biggest girl on the floor and a tough assignment, with being a three-time All-Ohioan − just a very talented player.”
The strategy worked to perfection. While Miller finished with 14 points, she was forced to earn every basket against the relentless pressure of Van Fleet and a rotating cast of help side defenders for the Zeps.
“Molly was just outstanding tonight … she just did a great job of battling all night,” Thompson added. “Miller is a big, strong and talented girl, and Molly had to battle her all night. Along with that, we got great backside help that made it all work.”
Shenandoah’s early offensive explosion
While the Zeps defense held the line, the offense clicked early to build a quick lead. Shenandoah (13-0) exploded out of the gate to seize a 33-14 lead by the halftime break. Freshman sensation Emma Dailey led the charge, scoring 12 of her game-high 20 points in the opening two quarters. Senior Brenna Leach provided the veteran balance, netting 10 of her 14 points before the break to help the Zeps effectively put the game away by the intermission.
Flawless floor leadership for the Zeps
Thompson also credited his backcourt for their composure against a strong ranked opponent.
“Both our guards, Emma Dailey and Emily Moore, played some great defense and really handled the ball flawlessly tonight,” he said.
Van Fleet matched her defensive intensity on the offensive end, chipping in with 14 points, while Moore added seven markers to round out the scoring for the Division VI No. 7 ranked Zeps.
Looking ahead
For Strasburg, Miller’s 14 points led the way, followed by junior Addy Sibila with eight and DeDe Herron with seven. However, the Tigers could never overcome the early deficit created by Shenandoah’s suffocating first-half defensive pressure.
With the win, Shenandoah stays perfect at 13-0, firmly establishing themselves as a state title contender as the OHSAA postseason draws nearer.
“Our girls’ confidence is very high right now, we are now 13-0,” Thompson said. “But the really positive thing is they are not satisfied. They still want to keep getting better, and they show up every day ready to grind and get better by continuing to work hard.”
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Shenandoah girls shut down Strasburg in top 10 clash on the hardwood
Reporting by Kevin Sutton, Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian / The Daily Jeffersonian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
