By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
If defense wins championships, Niles is well on its way to a title after Monday's victory over Berrien Springs in the first round of district play.
The Vikings' press gave the Shamrocks fits early, forcing 14 first quarter turnovers in a 59-28 win at Dowagiac.
The Shamrocks looked as though they would make a game of the matchup at the beginning of the contest. The teams traded baskets for three minutes. But with Niles up 6-4, the Vikings turned up the pressure and took advantage of Berrien's turnovers en rout to a 13-0 run that put them up 19-6 and in control of the ball game.
Westendorp said he was worried about Niles getting a big lead early. His team kept close for a while, he said, but the Shamrocks were just delaying the inevitable.
The Vikings' offensive surge in the first half was led by forward Brandie Radde, who looked to be back to form after missing two weeks with an ankle injury a month ago. Radde scored 15 points in the first half on her way to 17 in two and half quarters of work. She hit 8-of-12 shots in scoring her highest point total since coming back from the injury.
Point guard Amber Peters also got going early for Niles, contributing seven of her nine points in the first quarter. Seven Vikings scored in the game with Radde the only one in double figures.
Defensively, Niles held Berrien Springs to 22 percent shooting (9-of-42) and forced 29 turnovers. The Vikings also held the Shamrocks leading scorer, senior Christine Drach, to nine points. She averaged 14 a game heading into the contest.
After the game, Westendorp, like many coaches of Niles' victims, could do nothing but tip his hat to the Vikings.
Niles moves on to face Lakeshore at 7:30 p.m. in Wednesday's second round game. The Vikings have already beaten the Lancers twice this season by an average of 34 points. Despite Niles' dominance over Lake-shore, Arnold remained humble about Wednesday's matchup.
Niles…………………..59
Berrien Springs……28
Berrien Springs (28) - Heather Rodgers 0 0-0 0, Sydney Mead 1 2-4 4, Gabby Saitz 0 0-0 0, Christine Drach 3 2-3 9, Amber Fryman 1 0-0 2, Samantha Cooper 1 4-4 6, Abby Sandmann 1 0-1 2, Whitney Hewitt 0 0-0 0, Ashley Pagel 0 0-0 0, Charity Stanley 0 0-0 0, Michelle Rudlaff 2 0-0 5, Dana Sluder 0 0-0 0, Andrea O'Dell 0 0-0 0, Deanna Sandmann 0 0-0 0, Carol Fletcher 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 8-12 28.
Niles (59) - Amanda Pingel 2 1-2 6, Ashley Pingel 3 1-2 7, Amber Peters 3 3-6 9, Meghan Scameheorn 0 0-0 0, Leigh Tyler 4 0-1 8, Brandie Radde 8 0-0 17, Sarah Dreher 3 2-2 8, Stephanee Schrader 0 0-0 0, Jessica Shinsky 0 0-0 0, Kate Whittaker 0 0-0 0, Becca Teske 0 0-0 0, Melissa Olsen 2 0-0 4. Totals: 25 7-13 59.
3-point shooting - B.S. 2 (Drach, Rudlaff); Niles 2 (Radde, Am. Pingel). Rebounds - B.S. 34 (Drach 6); Niles 37 (Radde 7). Fouls (fouled out) - B.S. 11 (none); Niles 14 (none). Records - B.S. 6-15; Niles 18-2.