SHELBY — The monkey is off their backs, but that doesn’t mean the Shelby Whippets are playing with house money at this week’s Division II regional tournament.
The way veteran coach Natalie Lantz sees it, Tuesday’s regional semifinal game against Copley at Mansfield Senior’s Pete Henry Gym is more business trip than sight-seeing expedition.
Division II poll champ Shelby (26-0) reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 over the weekend, upending Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference and Richland County rival Clear Fork 57-33 in the district championship game at Ashland’s Arrow Arena. The Whippets reached the district tournament seven of the past 10 years, but came away empty-handed — before Saturday.
“This is what we’ve been wanting for four years now and it’s definitely a relief,” said senior and West Liberty (West Virginia) University recruit Olivia Baker, who scored 12 points despite battling foul trouble against the Colts. “It was definitely frustrating, but this makes up for all of it.”
The Whippets overcame all sorts of adversity to reach the regional semifinals. Senior standout and Baldwin-Wallace recruit Haylee Baker partially tore a knee ligament late in the regular season. She returned briefly Saturday, providing an emotional lift. Junior Demi Hipp missed Saturday’s game after being injured against Sandusky Perkins in the district semifinals.
“With Haylee and Demi out, that’s two experienced leaders,” Lantz said. “I think our girls stepped up in a big way.”
Point guard Sophie Niese was asked to shoulder more of the scoring load in the absence of Baker and Hipp. The Ashland University recruit scored a game-high 18 points while still getting her teammates involved.
“Liv got in foul trouble and she’s usually the one we go to when we need a big bucket,” Niese said. “With her out and Haylee out, I knew I had to step up.”
Next up for Shelby is a regional semifinal date with Copley (16-10) at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pete Henry Gym. Columbus Hartley plays Toledo Central Catholic in Tuesday’s early game, with the winners meeting at 7 p.m. Friday at Mansfield Senior for a regional title and berth in the state tournament.
Copley was the surprise winner of the Elyria district tournament, beating Shaker Heights Laurel 30-28 in the district championship game. Shelby Emich scored 10 points and hit two free throws with two seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Shelby will be seeking its first regional title since 1992, a team that Lantz played on under coach Ellen Lawrence. But the Whippets aren’t satisfied with the elusive district title.
“It’s a business trip,” Lantz said “Now we’re back to work. It’s back to the drawing board.”
