Troy Athens High School

Photo- Josh Collesano Two weeks ago, on February 24th the Troy Colts came into Athens Gymnasium to face the Lady RedHawks in the final regular season game of the year. The game meant nothing to the Colts, except for the chance to stop the RedHawks from winning the OAA league Championship outright. The Game was the Annual Coaches vs Cancer Game with both teams wearing their pink shirts for the game. Instead, the visitors came out with pink jerseys and no pink t-shirts like they had done for years before. The Colts ended up winning the game and denying the RedHawks the outright championship, but Lady RedHawks still were the Co-Champs of their league. Jump ahead 2 weeks, as both teams won their 1st round district games only to be able to face their arch-rivals in the district final. Troy came in with a 14-8 record while the Lady RedHawks were 18-5. The game saw the Colts again wearing their special pink jerseys and Athens in their home white uniforms. Troy opened up the scoring, but Katie Malone came down and hits a triple for a 3-2 lead for Athens. Troy scores on a putback, but Kaitlyn Piggott hits 2 free throws and Gabby Bieniek with a steal and a bucket extends the RedHawks lead to 7-4. Both teams continued to go back and forth with little scoring until Troy knocks down a 3-pointer with 2 minutes left to tie the game at 7-7. Troy scores 4 straight points to take a 11-7 lead only to see the RedHawks outscore the visitors 5-2 to trail 13-12 after 1-quarter. With momentum on their side, the RedHawks open the scoring in the 2nd by Katie and Troy answers back with 2 more. Both teams again went up and down with little scoring, but the RedHawks were able to take a 23-22 lead heading into halftime. With arch-rivals, the games always seem to be physical, and close and this game was no different. The 3rd quarter started with both teams scoring quickly and Troy jumping to a 28-27 lead. From there, the Lady RedHawks outscored the visitors 10-0 to take a 37-28 lead heading into the 4th quarter. Katie Malone led the RedHawks with 13 points, Kata Tasich, Kaitlyn Piggott and Annabelle Beaubien each had 5 points apiece through 3-quarters. Troy started the 4th quarter aggressively by pressing and scored 4 in a row only to see Gabby Bieniek get 2 steals and 2 buckets to increase the lead back to nine points 41-32 with 4:00 minutes left in the game. From there, Kaitlyn, Madison Stencel and Kata knocked down 7 free throws to Troy's 3 points to increase the lead to 48-35 with 1:30 left on the clock. Troy was able to outscore the Lady RedHawks 6-2 in the last minute, but it wasn't enough as our Ladies won the District Title by the score of 50-41. "This was a special group of girls, who deserved this trophy," said Coach Klumpp. "We couldn't be prouder of these girls as a coaching staff," she added. Assistant Coach Brittney Brennan added, "the girls had high energy from the moment they walked into the school until the final buzzer." Senior guard Kata Tasich added, "It means a lot to all of us and for it to happen in my senior season is outstanding." The Lady RedHawks were led by Katie Malone (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists & 4 steals), Kata Tasich (4 rebounds, 2 assists & 2 steals) and Gabby Bieniek (4 rebounds & 4 steals) each of the last two contributed 8 points apiece. Kaitlyn Piggott (7 points, 3 rebounds & 1 block), Madison Stencel (6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals & 3 blocks) and Annabelle Beaubien (5 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals & 2 assists) were other key contributors. The win raises the Lady RedHawk's record to 19-5 overall and they will face the 22-2 Anchor Bay team @ Warren Cousino at 7:00 on Monday March 10th. Congratulations ladies, great game and good luck on Monday! A well-deserved victory!!