Baumholder's Tiffany McNeil, 44, is sandwiched by London Central players, Stephanie Anderson, left, and Libby Johnston in the final game of the Division III high school basketball championships in Baumholder, Germany, on Saturday. (Raymond T. Conway / S&S)
Baumholder's Tiffany McNeil, 44, is sandwiched by London Central players, Stephanie Anderson, left, and Libby Johnston in the final game of the Division III high school basketball championships in Baumholder, Germany, on Saturday. (Raymond T. Conway / S&S)
Baumholder's Tish Schelhas is all alone in the paint for an easy bucket against London Central in the final game of the Girls Division III high school basketball championships in Baumholder, Germany, on Saturday. (Raymond T. Conway / S&S)
Baumholder's Katie Feterl scores an easy layup against London Central in the final game of the Division III high school basketball championships in Baumholder, Germany, on Saturday. (Raymond T. Conway / S&S)
BAUMHOLDER, Germany — The Baumholder girls showed a complete offensive repertoire Saturday — combining patient play with slashing fast breaks and cross-court passes — as the Lady Bucs defeated London Central 51-36 to claim the European Division III basketball championship.
The Bucs (18-2) were led by forward/center Katie Feterl, who was playing on a taped ankle she injured earlier in the tournament. Feterl took charge in the second quarter, driving at will to the basket for three straight easy layups.
Forward Tiffany McNeil added a forth layup to give Baumholder a 39-11 lead at the half.
“That ... just took the wind out of our sails,” said London Central coach Bill Lassetter, adding that Baumholder’s speed forced London Central into numerous turnovers and rushed shots.
Early in the game, the majority of Baumholder’s points came deep in the lane with Feterl and McNeil scoring on four straight unanswered drives before Nicole Lassetter scored the first bucket for London Central.
The scoring drought got worse for London Central, which didn’t score again until there was 2:35 left in the first quarter.
London Central didn’t hit double digits until 6 minutes into the second quarter.
Guard Anika Perez led the Bucs’ fast break, leading to easy buckets for Feterl and McNeil. Feterl finished with nine points, while McNeil scored 18.
Tiffany Brown finished with 14 for Baumholder.
Lassetter powered the Lady Bobcats with 24 points.
London Central forwards Mary Beth Tittle and Libby Johnson had limited success inside trying to keep Baumholder out of the lane, and even less on offense, which Bill Lassetter attributed in part to the 13 hour bus ride to Baumholder.
“You’ll notice that the teams that came the farthest went out first,” Lassetter said.
Baumholder coach Carter Hollenbeck credited his second straight championship to balanced play and to his shuffling in fresh guard pairs every few minutes.
“We have solid post players in Feterl and McNeil, and we just kept the pressure up rotating in fresh guards.”
