Notre Dame rides a win streak into familiar quarterfinal territ

The Lutheran South Lancers will try to do something today that graduation and a multiplier have failed to do:Stop the Notre Dame girls basketball team.

The Bulldogs have endured the graduation of two all-state players and a two-class jump to reach the quarterfinals for the fifth straight year. Notre Dame (20-7) will seek its third straight trip to the final four when it faces Lutheran South (22-7) of St. Louis at 8:15 p.m. today at the Farmington Civic Center.

Joining the Bulldogs in the quarterfinal round is SEMO Conference rival Jackson (20-8), which faces Nerinx Hall (19-10) at 3:15 p.m. at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

After a 5-7 start, Notre Dame has collected a full head of steam with a 15-game winning streak. The streak enabled the Bulldogs to capture the SEMO Conference title and a state ranking.

All this after winning its first state title last year in Class 2 and losing three starters -- which included its career leading scorer and rebounder Deana McCormick, career assist leader in Courtney Vickery and second-leading career scorer Lisa Millham.

"Last year, finally taking the championship was very gratifying," Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim said. "This year, no matter what happens, I'm extremely proud. It's hard to lose the team we had last year and come back and have the kind of season we've had this year."

The resourceful Bulldogs merely created a new career-leading scorer in senior Ashley Millham, who recently became the first player in school history to top 1,500 career points.

Millham and senior forward Ali Tyson are the only two starters back for the state champions, but critical experience was gained by the supporting cast in last year's title run.

"The little time I got the young kids on the floor, I thought it would pay off in the future," Grim said.

Erin Pfau, Katie Palmer and Sierra Ellis all saw time on the Hearnes Center floor last year. Others like Sommer McCauley, Amanda Dirnberger and Laura Weissmueller saw action along the way. Not only that, but there was a season of rubbing shoulders with last year's seniors.

"They won't get a better role model," Grim said. "These kids learned a lot and are taking what they learned and applying it."

Pfau, Ellis and McCauley have moved into starting roles. McCauley, a junior, has improved steadily throughout the season and is second on the team with 13 points per game. Ellis, a junior, averages nine points while Pfau, who averages four points, has provided a determined inside presence.

But Millham has been the rudder on the Bulldogs' ship. On more balanced teams the past two seasons, Millham talents weren't on full display. In addition to moving to point guard this season, she's increased her scoring to 21.9 points per game and leads the team in assists.

"Ashley had to realize she's the big dog now," Grim said. "When she did that, she just took over."

Tyson, a senior, has also stepped into a bigger role, increasing her scoring and leading the team in rebounding.

"It's amazing what that one year can do for you," Grim said "But when a kid gets into their senior year, it really makes a difference."

The team has taken on its own character with its own strengths. Grim said this year's squad excels in the transition game and is more of an up-tempo team than in the past.

In Lutheran South, Notre Dame will face a team much similar to itself. The Lancers like to press and have a balanced offense led by the trio of juniors Heather Karner, Julie McQueen and senior Sarah Shearman.

"We need to take care of the basketball, for sure," Grim said. "But we're not going to change anything we do. There are certain things that got us here and we'll stick with them."

Jackson seeks revenge

The Indians will try to avenge a 55-42 loss suffered to the Markers in late January.

Jackson coach Ron Cook said the loss is not shaking his team's confidence.

"We didn't play real good that game, but they had something to do with that," Cook said.

The loss was part of a slump the Indians experienced midway through the season. Jackson knocked off Gateway Tech 50-38 in Wednesday's sectional for its fifth straight win.

"I feel real good right now about our team," Cook said. "We're playing our best team ball right now."

Senior forward Jenna Leet leads the Indians in both scoring (17 ppg) and rebounding (6.5). Senior Whitney Werner (9 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is second on the team in both categories.

Jackson, which faced two 6-foot-2 Gateway Tech players, will face another big challenge in the Markers' 6-foot-3 Bridget Bailey. The Indians will also need to stop 5-10 guard Casey Craft, Nerinx's top scorer.

jbreer@semissourian.com

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