Published: February 12, 2009 12:15 am      

HOOPS: Taylor beats M-G in sectional

GREENTOWN — To someone familiar with the recent postseason history of the Taylor girls basketball team, a quick glance at Wednesday’s scores would confirm what many suspected: Another year, another sectional win over Madison-Grant — the fifth in six seasons.

There was much more to the story.

The Argylls put a scare into the Titans for three quarters here Wednesday night before Taylor pulled away late for a 66-49 victory. The win moved the Class 2A No. 4-ranked Titans into Friday night’s semifinal round where they will face Sheridan, which beat Guerin Catholic 47-35.

The game was a physical one. Twice during the game Madison-Grant guard Shelby Wells was bloodied; the first time above the left eye, and later in the game in the mouth. A third-quarter intentional foul called on Taylor was just one of many hard fouls during the contest.

“We talked about doing what we have to do to get a win,” Taylor coach Dennis Bentzler said. “We didn’t do a good job of stopping the basketball, and their kids were committed to taking the ball to the basket and being physical. We’re not built that way and they took us out of our game. You’ve got to give them credit.”

With Taylor (19-3) playing uncharacteristically sloppy basketball in the early going, M-G kept pace and trailed by just two, 30-28, at intermission. When Taylor senior Teri Oliver was forced to the bench with three personal fouls at the 4:20 mark of the third quarter, M-G rallied to within 41-40 on two free throws following the Black intentional foul.

The Argylls would get no closer.

“Give Madison-Grant credit, I thought they played hard,” Bentzler said. “At one point they even forced us into a little 2-3 zone, which we’re not very good at. We hadn’t played a game in two and a half weeks and were a little rusty, but that’s no excuse. This wasn’t one of our better games, but we find ways to win.”

Leading 44-40 to open the final stanza, the Titans got hot from the field while the Argylls went stone cold. Oliver and junior Shelby Wall combined for 11 of the Titans’ 22 fourth-quarter points, and Oliver’s 3-pointer with 4:15 remaining was the dagger. Taylor finished 7 of 8 from the field in the final period, and M-G mustered just two baskets in the fourth quarter.

“It was still tight [in the fourth quarter] and we hit a big three, got into our press and got some turnovers,” said Bentzler. “I think that wore [the Argylls] down a little. They played well for about three and a half quarters and then we hit some big shots, and took care of the basketball.”

Wall led Taylor with 17 points, while Oliver added 16. Mone’y Black’s six rebounds paced the Titan effort.

Sara Webster’s 18 points were good enough for top Argyll honors.