by Chris Shoals
LOVELAND, OHIO - LovelandMagazine.com - The Loveland High School Lady Tigers have not felt the winning feel since December 9th when they began the season 3-0. Loveland was able to dominate Talawanda from beginning to end, and win the game 62-42.Loveland was lead in the scoring tally by 3 seniors Ellie Iaciofano, Emily Holzderber, and Mollie Kuramoto who each contributed 10 points to the Tigers winning effort. The trio of seniors led Loveland on a 36-15 run in the second and third quarters. A key stat in this game was the dreaded turnover margin. Loveland’s three quarter court press forced Talawanda into 37 turnovers. Loveland won the turnover battle by 16; by far their largest margin of victory in turnovers all year. The Tigers stole the ball a season high 23 times, allowing every player that dressed for the game in a Loveland uniform to record a steal. That is a tribute to the success of the press.
Loveland was also solid from the free throw line, shooting 17-23 on the night, and had three girls that were perfect from the line: Mollie Kuramoto 2-2, Ariel Fisher 2-2, Emily Holzderber 4-4.
One big concern continues to be the three-point shot. The Tigers were only 1-10 from three point land, and in their last two games they are 4-22. Loveland has capable shooters from three, mostly Ali Dee, Presley Benzinger, and Ellie Iaciofano, but they were not given any open looks over the back end of December.
Loveland closed December with a 4-3 overall record, and 1-2 in division play. They will have a chance on January 1 to avenge the Harrison loss at Harrison, and get back to .500 in FAVC Buckeye Play.
January is highlighted by games against Anderson and Mason, both ranked in the top 10. Those games are on the 23rd, and the 25th, so that could be a key swing in the positive or negative direction.
