Lady Owls face metro power

Notre Dame de Sion begins its post-season today against the Marshall girls' basketball team with vivid memories of past successes among its handful of upperclassmen.

While the Lady Owls were still in grade school the last time their home town team reached the playoffs, the Kansas City Catholic institution reached the Class 5 state championship game -- losing to Incarnate Word of St. Louis, 43-31. None of the current Crusaders (19-8), though, were regulars that season.

"After our seniors finished, we had a whole new team, a young team. This is a new experience," noted fourth-year head coach Mike Dunn, whose teams have commendable 83-27 record since he succeeded Kristy Guffey -- the former Missouri Valley College player who guided Notre Dame de Sion to the state title in 2001.

Having only one senior starter might be a handicap against the Marshall's veterans, except -- as Dunn rightfully boasts -- the Crusaders' "schedule's probably the toughest in 4A." They've taken on eight teams ranked or playoff-bound in Missouri Class 5, losing five of them -- two to No. 2 Blue Springs -- and beating mid-Mo powers Hickman and Jefferson City.

"They've been tested," Dunn said. "All of them, except the one freshman, have played quality minutes since last season."

There are two common opponents, both with losses to Helias and easy wins over O'Hara, although Notre Dame's second victory over the Lady Celtics for the District 13 title was closer, 41-35.

While junior Stacey Schultz and sophomore Teresa Turner combined for 23 points in that game, none of the Crusaders averages in double figures -- a balance Lady Owls head coach Tom Hayob observed.

"They rely a lot on their three-pointers," Hayob said. "We have to stay close enough on the perimeter and handle their posts."

"We all share the ball," Dunn explained. "Any person on the court is capable of hitting the open shot."

Marshall is much the same, but is most effective going inside-out -- looking to attack the bucket before kicking it out for jumpers.

Senior forward Courtney Henley has been the go-to player down the stretch recently, but junior post Jessica Harriman is impressive and senior point guard Amy Durham remained reliable even while battling the flu bug during districts.

"They've got four seniors who start, that can do a lot of good things for a team at this point in the year," Dunn remarked. "That concerns me a lot."

The Lady Owls' lack of depth hasn't hurt them in the end-game, although ninth-ranked Grain Valley's press had an effect when starters sat during the District 15 championship tilt.

Notre Dame "defensively is what worries me," Hayob admitted. "I expect to see a lot of pressure. We're going to have to handle it, especially in the half-court."

Marshall has handled a lot, especially this season -- losing Hayob for two weeks foe heart surgery, assistant Joey Rainey leading them for nine games, and having two senior forwards during that period.

The Lady Owls are resilient, a trait which they hope will serve them well now that they've reached the playoffs.