Behind another stellar championship performance by Braxtin Miller and Libby Bazelak, the Alter Knights made it three in a row…capturing the Division II title over Hathaway Brown.
Columbus – Titles in any sport never come easy, but the Alter Knights have made it look easier than it should. They won their third consecutive title in girls basketball Saturday morning, 58-41, over Hathaway Brown, and revived discussion about a seeming dynasty in Kettering.
Behind Braxtin Miller’s 23 points, and Libby Bazelak’s 21, it marked the Lady Knights’ fourth overall title, and this one came with the distinction of beating another past dynasty in women’s basketball. Hathaway Brown own five state championships itself, and five in a row from 2009 through 2013.
The combination of Miller and Bazelak was simply overwhelming, accounting for 44 of the Knights’ total of 58 points.
And if the offense of those two wasn’t enough the Knights’ defense played big on the other end. They limited Hathaway Brown to just 35% shooting from the floor…and just 4 of 19 from three-point range (21%).
Overall, Alter shot 43.6% from the floor and hit 5 of 12 from three-point range (41.7%). The Knights didn’t shoot many free throws, but hit 5 of the 8 opportunities they had (62.5%).
Hathaway Brown never led. Alter led 25-20 at the half and increased that margin to double digits for most of the second half – the largest lead was 17, in the fourth quarter.
Attendance numbers were not announced, but it was a sparse turnout that witnessed possible history in the making – the Alter Knights “three-peat”, and by all accounts, the beat goes on for another year. Led by stellar senior class, the Knights have won 115 of their last 120 games over a four-year period with Miller, Bazelak, and company.
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Titles don't come easy...Alter's Nicole Hoeflinger scores around the defensive effort of Hathaway Brown's Jackie Carman. (Press Pros Feature Photos By Sonny Fulks)