I sit here listening to the Berkeley Springs/Lincoln game from Charleston and feel compelled to write this wrap up season. This season was an awesome season for the Lady Indians. It saw the emergence of two young players and it showed how well the team came together to work together.
What more could you ask for in a team? These young women came together and fought tough and hard to win 19 games… a career high for Coach McCumbee. They showed what a power they could be. Sure they ended up with six losses, two loss came against two teams made the West Virginia State Tournament – East Hardy (#7 in the A bracket) and Martinsburg (#4 in the AAA bracket). But we won’t stay on the losses… we look at wins.
While the ladies beat the likes of Hedgesville, Musselman, and Petersburg among others, Frankfort is THE team they needed to beat. The Indians took one on the chin on December 12 against Frankfort, but came back on January 24 to avenge that loss, and again in sectional play in what can only be described as a team effort win. In the February 27 match-up, the Indians traveled to a hostile Frankfort in the Region 2, Section II title game. In what can only be described as a poorly officiated game for both teams, the Indians found themselves down early. In the fourth quarter, the girls got down 12, but through tough play and making their foul shots (not to mention poor foul shooting by Frankfort) the Indians were able to stay in the game. Lesley Yost hit a three to tie the game at 56-56, but a foul on the other end a few seconds later put the Falcons up 57-56. However, with five seconds to go in the game, Jessica Haynes was fouled. Making the first shot to tie the game at 57 all, she had one more shot coming… and made it! 58-57 the Indians led. The ball was inbounded, but play was halted after the clock failed to start. The officials got together and put three seconds on the clock. On the inbound Shauni Stevens stole the ball and held on to it to secure the win.
That win set up the Region 2 championship against Braxton County, which the Indians won going away. Freshman phenom Deidre Burch dropped a career high 33 on the Eagles to lead the way. With this win, the Indians solidified their spot in Charleston.
The Indians took on number three seeded Lincoln in the first round. The Indians ran out to a big lead, but Lincoln was much to strong for the Indians. The Cougars clawed their way back to take a lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Backed by a 26 point effort from Chelsea Holcomb and a team total 10 three pointers (which tied a A/AA state tourney record), the Lincoln High School Cougars soundly defeated the Indians 87-60. The Indians were led by Amber Booher’s 22 points and 14 boards. The loss ends the Indians season with a 19-6 record
Congratulations to the Indians on a hell of a season! Unfortunately it didn’t end the way everyone wanted it to. This team will always be remembered in Berkeley Springs High School sports memory as a team full of fighters with strong leadership and gritty players. It was a pleasure to broadcast their games this year and for the seniors, their career. Thank you ladies for some great games and wonderful memories. Good luck in the next step of your lives Amber Booher, Rebecca Trump, Shauni Stevens, and Maddy Parrill. To the rest of the team… enjoy the off season and we’ll see you next season!
