Frankfort Hot Dogs | Archive | January, 2008

Coach Torrey Rodkey’s Stars are now 8-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in the conference.  The Stars’ conference record places them in a first place tie with Danville.  As Rodkey indicated after the game, “We need to stay healthy through the regular season in order to make a run at the 3A 25 Sectional Championship.”

Although the Stars made 11 more turnovers than Frankfort (19 to the Hot Dogs’ 8) and were out-rebounded 34-31, the Stars were able to convert on 51% of their field goal attempts compared to Frankfort shooting only 42% in their own arena.  Frankfort even took 66 shots compared to just 43 attempts by the Stars.  As expected, coach Rodkey’s Stars were efficient.

Following a Frankfort timeout with 6:25 remaining in the second period, the Hot Dogs greatly picked-up their defensive intensity.  The Hot Dogs truly aggressive play resulted in the Stars only converting two of 15 possessions through early in the third quarter.  Trailing 32-18, Frankfort closed the first half with a 9-2 run.  The Hot Dogs continued their impressive comeback into the fourth quarter when freshmen “lightning in a bottle” Korben Shirar converted on a lay-up to tie the score at 50 with 6.42 remaining in the contest.

Frankfort achieved their first lead of the evening when junior Jay Sheets buried a three-pointer to make the score 55-54 with 3:55 remaining.  Western Boone senior 6’5 center Caleb Weber then delivered two free throws to give the Stars a lead they would not relinquish at 56-55.  With just under two minutes remaining, Stars junior sharpshooter Aaron Vaughn made five quick points (a lay-up off a nifty in-bounds play and a delicious three).  From there, Frankfort (5-5, 1-1) was forced to foul.  With the Stars already in the double bonus, Western Boone converted on 8 of 10 charity tries the final 90 seconds to seal the deal.

Western Boone placed their four “stars” in double figures.  Vaughn led on 6-9 (4-5 from behind the arc) shooting for 18 points.  Senior Cory Macbeth was also a stellar 6-9 from the floor while scoring 16 points.  Seniors Drew Pearson and Weber both finished with 15 points.  Weber concluded the evening with a double-double by securing a team-high 10 boards.  Coach Rodkey said it best, “We played with a lot of poise.  We expect that especially from those three seniors.”  The Stars team plays just as it is coached – under control with confidence.

Frankfort was led in scoring by junior standout Stevie Loveless’ game-high 21 points.  Fellow senior Jack Warwick contributed a hard-working 20 points.  The 6’6 Loveless also recorded a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Hot Dogs complete a terrific weekend of home basketball when they return to action this evening against Hoosier Heartland opponent Rossville.  The JV game begins at 6:00 PM.  This game is featured as “Cram Case Arena” night. 

Frankfort athletic director, Craig Fisher, and company put-on an excellent show.  Fisher reminded me just how important the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association decision was to request every Indiana high school basketball program put on a Coaches vs. Cancer night.  Since its inception, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised over $23 million for cancer research.  What the colleges began in the early 90’s is now being followed at the interscholastic level.  Congratulations to all!

Western Boone also returns to action tonight when they host Mid-Indiana Conference Hamilton Heights.  Tip time is 7:30 PM.

Everett N. Case Arena hosted a terrfic seesaw contest that involved eight ties and 11 lead changes.  The Coaches vs. Cancer event saw Frankfort improve to 11-5 overall and 4-0 in the conference.  Frankfort’s victory places them in a first place tie with Crawfordsville.  Western Boone falls to 11-3 and 2-2.

The final 3:03 of the final stanza reflected the entire game.  Trailing 46-45, Frankfort missed two three-point attempts before freshman Alex Thompson made two free throws after being fouled on a put-back attempt.  Western Boone seized back the lead when senior center Elizabeth Mercer answered on a Stars well-executed in-bounds play under their own basket.  Hot Dogs junior Brittney Warmoth then made one of two free throws to tie the score at 48. Both teams traded missed field goals and the Stars made a costly turnover (their 15th) before Stoms’ heroics.

Warmoth did get one final shot away at the buzzer.  Her 8′ baseline shot was blocked by senior Tasha Albaugh.

The Hot Dogs were led in scoring by Warmoth and Thompson.  Both underclassmen finished with 13 points.  Hero Stoms scored 10 points.

Western Boone placed two scorers in double figures.  Senior Kassie Yates scored a game-high 15 points.  Mercer concluded the evening with 13 points.  Mercer may be the best surprise in the conference.  The tall, rangy performer runs the floor well.  Mercer is still developing her inside offensive presence – yet – she already demonstates excellent range.  Mercer knows how to defend inside the paint.

Following the game, Stoms reflected on her tension-filled moment at the free throw line.  She exclaimed, “I am a senior.  The team expects me to come through in those situations.  I was calm.”  Stoms is hopeful her basketball career will continue in college.  The three-sport participant (Stoms also participates in cross country and track and field) talked about what the team needs to do to be ready to win 3A Sectional 20.  “We need to continue to relax and work hard in practice.”