Oak Hill upsets Versailles to advance to Division III state championship game

Dan Labbe, OhioHSsports.com, March 19, 2009 8:34 p.m.

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Oak Hill's Breanna Butler reacts in the final seconds of her team's 47-43 win over Versailles in a Division III semifinal game. - (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

There will be no repeat champion in Division III this year. The Oak Hill Lady Oaks made sure of that.

In just their second state tournament appearance in school history, Oak Hill knocked off defending state champion Versailles, 47-43, in the second Division III semifinal game of the night. The Lady Oaks will play Regina on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

After Versailles fought back to tie the game at 41, Lakin Caudill drew a foul on Versailles' Megan Campbell. Caudill made two free throws for a 43-41 lead and Oak Hill was on their way.

The opening quarter was a practice in offensive futility. After jumping out to a 6-2 lead, Versailles managed just two more points over the final 5:21 of the quarter. Oak Hill managed just 3 points for the quarter, all by Rebecca Puckett.

Oak Hill found their offense in the second quarter shooting 7-13 from the field including 2-3 from three-point range. The Lady Oaks took their first lead at the 5:17 mark of the quarter on a Karissa Adkins three. Emily Frey kept Versailles even thanks to a three and four free throws, but Breanna Butler made a three for Oak Hill with three seconds left to give the Lady Oaks a 19-17 halftime edge.

"It was a shot I wanted her to take." said Oak Hill coach Doug Hale of Butler's shot. "We haven't been finishing quarters strong all year."

Emily Frey and Breanna Butler traded threes in the third, each hitting two as the lead changed hands multiple times. A Karen Smith basket and free throw with 3:07 to play gave Versailles a 31-27 lead. They carried a 34-29 lead into the final quarter.

Said Breanna Butler of facing Regina, "We'll be ready for them."