Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — Here’s looking right back at you.

The Fairland Lady Dragons and Ottawa-Glandorf Lady Titans bring similar teams to the Division III state semifinals on Thursday as they go against each other.

Fairland coach Jon Buchanan said the two teams are mirror images in size and in the fact they rely on their defenses.

“They’re very athletic and really fast. They’re about the same size as we are. They’ve had a really great season. They’re really solid, but obviously, when you get to the Final Four, you’re not going to face anyone who is not really solid,” said Buchanan.

Glandorf’s 5-8 senior point guard Elissa Ellerbrock was a first team All-Ohio pick who averages 12 points a game.

Junior Dani Ellerbrock is the other guard, 5-9 senior Kylie White — an all-district selection — plays center with 5-9 senior Erin Basinger and senior Danielle Schroeder the forwards.

The top players off the bench are senior forward Anna Bellman, 5-8 freshman Kadie Hempfling, 5-9 sophomore Alexis Schroeder and senior Kianna Siefker.

Fairland counters with a starting lineup consisting of five seniors.

The center is 5-9 Jenna Fulks, forwards Kelsey Riley and Mackenzie Riley, and guards Caitlin Stone and Taylor Staten.

Kelsey Riley was a first team All-Ohio selection and Stone honorable mention.

Kelsey Riley, Mackenzie Riley, Stone and Fulks all played in the state tournament game last season.

Off the bench are freshman point guard Emily Chapman and center Alesha Simpson.

The Lady Dragons have watched film on their opponent along with practicing for their opponent. Senior Whitney Huff said the team has been working hard including the backups.

“We’re hustling, getting back on defense, and working as hard as we can because that is our job,” said Huff.

Fairland made its first state appearance last year while Ottawa-Glandorf is making its first Final Four appearance this year.

Thursday’s games tip-off with Versailles (24-4) playing AP No. 1-ranked Doylestown Chippewa (28-0) at 6 p.m. followed by Fairland (22-5) against Ottawa-Glandorf (25-2).

The championship game is 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Versailles — making its seventh state appearance — and Fairland played each other in last year’s state semifinals. Versailles won 67-60.

Chippewa is making its first Final Four appearance since finishing as state runner-up in 1994. Chippewa set a school record for wins this season. Coach Denny Schrock is 544-101 with three unbeaten regular seasons during his 27 years.

The Lady Chipps are led by AP Player of the Year Ashley Richardson. The 6-foot-1 junior averages 15.6 points a game.