WL-Salem is battle tested entering district title game
Standout senior guard Lily Yoder leads the Tigers into a Division III district championship game against Hamilton Badin on Saturday at Springfield High School. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MATT HAMMOND) |
In an effort to make sure his team was best suited for the pressure and high level of competition that comes with a deep run in the postseason, West Liberty-Salem head coach Dennis McIntosh has worked to beef up his team’s scrimmage and regular-season schedule over the last couple of years.
That plan has paid off as the Tigers have advanced to the Division III district title game in each of the last two seasons.
WL-Salem beat Cincinnati Madeira in the district championship a year ago before eventually bowing out to Versailles in the regional semifinals.
The Tigers (24-1) will look to capture their second consecutive district crown at 3 p.m. Saturday against Hamilton Badin (18-7) at Springfield High School.
“We wanted to beef up our schedule with teams that have bigger girls because we knew after losing (6-4 center) Jamie Peterson, we were going to be a little undersized this season,” said McIntosh. “So far, it has paid off. Our schedule has helped prepare us for this moment.”
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