Tiana Bowen, a Bamberg sophomore, takes a free throw Saturday in the Division III final in which the Barons won 38-29 over Rota. Bowen was the game's high scorer with 14 points. (Dan Blottenberger/Stars and Stripes)
WIESBADEN, Germany - The Bamberg Lady Barons used their speed and scrappy style to sink top-seeded Rota for the second time during the 2012 DODDS-Europe basketball championships.
Saturday’s 38-29 victory is the one that will be remembered. It earned Bamberg the title of 2012 Division III girls basketball champions.
The Lady Admirals never held a lead during the title game, as fourth seeded Bamberg used an aggressive 2-3 zone defense to keep Rota’s potent outside shooters in check.
The Lady Barons were able to force a goose egg from Rota in the first quarter, with the score 6-0 after one period. Rota had five chances from the charity stripe during the opening minutes, but were unable to convert on any. Free throw shooting was a problem that continued to plague Rota throughout the game, as it went 3-for-17 on the day.
“It seems like at this level, it all comes down to free throws and layups,” said Rota coach Edward DeMeritt after the game. “We’re a young team, we’ll be back,” he added.
Despite a couple of second half three-pointers from Rota senior Jessie Panis - who led the Lady Admirals with 10 points - Bamberg’s first-half dominance was too much for Rota to overcome.
The Lady Barons kept Rota’s perimeter sharpshooters from catching fire while using the height and strength of senior Natesha Godbee - who scored seven points - to disrupt the Lady Admirals inside game.
“They’re faster than us … I think we’re smarter on the court, but speed-wise, they got us,” said Rota sophomore center Kristin Banks, who scored eight.
Much of Bamberg’s speed Saturday was thanks to sophomore guard Tiana Bowen, who was able to provide plenty of fast break points in the paint.
“I count. One, two, crossover, three, it’s mine,” Bowen said after the game. “That’s our game plan; score, score, score.”
She also came through during a crucial moment in the third period when the Lady Admirals appeared poised to make a run, cutting into the Bamberg lead, and only trailed by seven.
That’s when Bowen nailed an off-balance shot and drew a foul. She missed the free throw, but shortly thereafter she nailed a long ball to extend the Lady Barons lead to 12 with 1:10 left to go in the third.
Bowen was the game’s leading scorer, finishing with 14. Senior forward Jamilah Lambert added seven for the champs.
“I’m proud of my girls,” Bowen said. “The season was rough, but here we pulled together and now we’re champions.”