Unselfish is one word Delphos Jefferson head coach Denise Lindeman likes to use when describing her team. But the Wildcats are not looking to share the Northwest Conference title when they face Columbus Grove on Thursday night at Jefferson.
Delphos Jefferson is undefeated at 7-0 and can claim the outright NWC title if it can defeat the Bulldogs, who are looking to snare a piece of the conference crown with a 6-1 mark.
Here is a rundown of the two squads as they prepare for the NWC showdown:
DELPHOS JEFFERSON
From the hunter to the hunted.
Delphos Jefferson surprised some people last season when it shared its first league title since 2012. But with the majority of its starters back, the Wildcats had high expectations coming into this season and they were not going to sneak up on anyone any more.
“Last year we were pretty much under the radar,” Lindeman said. “No one even talked about Delphos Jefferson girls basketball. This year we have a huge target on our back. Every game is a big game for every team because they want to beat us.”
But only one team, Shawnee, has accomplished that feat and that was by a single point, 28-27, on Jan. 11.
But even though they lost that game, Lindeman admits that game was important to the team because it showed them they could play with anyone in the area.
“I think the girls have been even-keeled and they know what is at stake for them and every day we tell our kids to keep a high standard and get better every day,” Lindeman said. “I know that was our motto last year but it still our motto and that is to have high standards and be better than we were yesterday.’
One major reason is the team’s chemistry that Lindeman points out is better than last year’s
“Last year we talked team chemistry and I feel our team chemistry is actually a little bit better this year,” Lindeman said. I honestly think team chemistry has contributed to our success. They are so unselfish. They play for each other and they play for each other. I feel our girls are each other teammates’ biggest fans.”
Lindeman adds that everything has been positive this year and she has had plenty of support from the community and her coaching staff and points out that this is a contributing factor to the team’s winning ways.
“One thing I will say that it takes a village to raise this team,” Lindeman said. “We have phenomenal assistant coaches and I think the feeder coaches do a great job. My parents are awesome and I think that is a huge part of success when you have great coaches and great feeder programs.”
Lindeman said these girls have put in the work to get to this point.
“These girls bring a strong work ethic and determination to practice every day and it is phenomenal and tremendous. They are determined and have a high level of energy and I can’t ask for a better group of girls to work with.’
Lindeman points out that her team has a number of weapons offensively that can score points. Led by Aly and Lyv Lindeman, the Wildcats are also getting offensive production from Josie McGue, Rylynn Marquiss, Hannah Wiltsie, Gwen Teman and Lauren French.
Lindeman said the teams shooting percentages have gone up this year. The Wildcats are averaging 48.9 points a game.
“Almost every single shooting percentage has improved and that is on them,” Lindeman said. “That is on them and the work ethic that has driven them. ”
Defense is a major reason for Delphos’ wins. The Wildcats are giving up an average of 29.2 points a game. In 14 of those games, Jefferson has limited opponents to 30 points or less.
“I preach defense every day,” Lindeman said. “Every single day those girls will hear something about defense and rebounding because I think that is where it starts. It is our bread and butter. One thing for sure is we can play defense.”
COLUMBUS GROVE
Heading into the game with Delphos Jefferson, Columbus Grove head coach Brian Schroeder said this team is playing its best basketball of the season.
The Bulldogs are riding a four-game winning streak and coming off an impressive win over Bluffton Saturday to put them in the position to share the NWC title. The team is also vying for a shot at a Putnam County League title where it is tied for first with Miller City.
The Bulldogs’ five losses this year are to Shawnee, Miller City, Liberty-Benton, Ottawa-Glandorf and Crestview.
Schroeder said this team is anchored by its four seniors, Shay Schroeder, Koryn Halker, Savanah Ridenour and Kenzie King.
As a four-year starter and one of the top players in the NWC and PCL, King receives a lot of attention. Schroeder said she has adjusted to being the focal point for most teams.
“Everybody knows her ball-handling and shooting but her ability handle adversity has really grown over the last two years,’ Schroeder said. “As a senior she doesn’t get shaken up and has seen pretty much everything.’
Like a lot of standout players, Schroeder adds King makes the players around her better.
Schroeder calls Ridenour the team’s energy player.
“She is always sprinting around, getting loose balls, tipping rebounds and we feed off her energy and enthusiasm a lot.’
The other two seniors Halker and Schroeder, come off the bench and he said they contribute in a number of ways and adds they are high character players.
“They are playing big, big roles for us coming off the bench and are really good shooters,’ Schroeder said.
Also contributing on both ends are juniors Jaylen Sautter, Sage Clement and Brynn Fortman along with sophomore Abby Stechschulte and freshman Lauryn Auchmuty.
Auchmuty, an accomplished athlete, missed most of the preseason with an appendectomy but after only missing the first game Schroeder said she has developed into a top-notch point guard. In the team’s first game against Shawnee she came off the bench and scored seven points in the first two minutes she played and as been a starter since that time.
“We continue to grow as a team,” Schroeder said. ‘We have four seniors that really work hard and have been really good leaders for us. They have kind of really steered the ship and we have really progressed throughout the year.”
Schroeder pointed out that the tough schedule has only helped his team get better.
“I feel like we grow a lot more when we lose a game and it allows us to be a little more self-reflective and look at ourselves and one areas you need to grow in so that is why we schedule the games that we schedule,’ Schroeder said. “i think our girls have handled the adversity the right way and I feel like after each loss we have played really well.”
Schroeder adds that after the Shawnee loss, the Bulldogs won six straight and after the Crestview defeat they put together a four-game win streak. The team did lose back to back against Liberty-Benton and Ottawa-Glandorf but then returned to get some big wins. Miller City was their last loss and that was on Jan. 15.
Columbus Grove lacks size but Schroeder said the Bulldogs make up for it with their athleticism and speed.
“We have a lot guards who we are confident up skill-wise who can bring the basketball up,” Schroeder said. ‘What we lack in size we make up in our skill set and athleticism. We have good depth and they play hard every night.”
Columbus Grove and Delphos Jefferson are similar in a number of aspects. Defense is the driving force accentuated by unselfish play on offense.
Defensively, Columbus Grove is giving up an average of 34 points a game. In seven of those games, the Bulldogs limited teams to 30 or less points and in the last three out of four games they have held the opposition to under 30 points,.
Schroeder called this one of the best defensive teams he has coached.
Like the Wildcats any number of girls can step up offensively for the Bulldogs.
“We really preach finding the best shot each each and every time,’ Schroeder said. ‘We tell our players every time they get the ball they need to look score but also have the mindset that as you are looking to score if somebody has a better shot make sure we get it to them. I think our team has really bought into that.”
Because of Jefferson’s size he sees this as a tough match-up for his team.
“We have to talk about how we are going to defend the post and still get out on their shooters,’ Schroeder said. “Denise and Bubp’s daughters are really good shooters and they have a couple of nice
players around them.”
Schroeder adds that one advantage that he sees for his team is playing in two leagues means he has to prepare for a variety of teams and styles of play.
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