It was the trip of a lifetime for both the Tippecanoe and Tecumseh girls’ basketball teams, as they both participated in the annual basketball extravaganza known simply as Classic in the Country. It was the twelfth annual event held at Berlin Hiland High School up in Holmes County, where you are as likely to see a horse and buggy just as much as you would see today’s most common automobile.

While the culture was likely a new one for the girls, both teams enjoyed some great basketball, competing against some of the top teams in Ohio.

Tippecanoe battled down to the wire, before escaping with a hard fought 47-45 victory over Carrollton, while the Tecumseh Arrows played a solid game against the host Hiland Hawks in the final of the 20 game event, but the Arrows fell short 52-44..

But the most important thing for both teams is the experience they received by the staff of the Classic. It was something they will never forget.

“It was really cool to be here at this event, but we were all nervous at first,” Tippecanoe junior Carly Clodfelter said. “It was a great experience to play in front of all of these people since this is what it will be like in tournament.”

“Everyone stepped up but I still think we can still play better,” she added.

While Clodfelter was named the Player of the Game by the local media, Aubrey Cox also stepped up her game as the Tipp junior led all scorers with a game high 14 points.

“We were missing a lot of shots early on but we finally pushed through at the end and got the victory,” Cox said.

“It is really great to see all of the college coaches up here,” she added. “The atmosphere is really cool since there were a ton of people here. Like Carly said, that is how it will be in tournament time and hopefully we will make it far.”

Senior Halee Printz, who didn’t have to worry about college coaches since she is committed to the University of Toledo (and Clodfelter to Wright State), but for Tipp to be included in this event is something she will always remember.

“What an awesome opportunity for us to be up here in front of all of these great teams,” she said. “We are blessed that we were invited.”

“This will help us because once we get into tournament, they will play us tough just like they did out here. It was good to see what we have to work on.” Printz had a solid game, scoring nine points with seven rebounds and three assists.

Clinching the game for the Red Devils was junior Cassidy Wasson, who hit two free throws with six seconds left to put Tippecanoe up four before Carrollton hit a meaningless basket at the buzzer.

“I honestly didn’t think we were going to lose the game at that point so I wasn’t really nervous,” Wasson said of her late free throws. “It was cool to watch good girls’ basketball and to see some of the teams we might be playing in tournament. It was a good team bonding for us also.”

The Tecumseh game was similar, close throughout and it seemed like every time the Arrows would make a run to try to take the lead, Hiland would step up and hit a three to stop the run and extend their lead back out.

“It was a great experience and coach said we are going back next year,” said Tecumseh junior Danielle Franklin who scored 12 points in the loss. “There were a lot of people, a lot more than we are used to. Their student section was really awesome, I was jealous of that.”

“I had been to Berlin for training before, and I love to see that atmosphere. Also I love shopping there.”

Leading the way for the Arrows was Lindsey Nartker with 20 points and nine rebounds.

“It was a lot of fun to be up there with so many people,” Nartker said. “Where they were cheering for us or against us, it got us fired up as a team and we played really hard. The effort was there, we just had trouble finishing layups and free throws.”

“I really enjoyed seeing some other great teams while I was there, like the Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame versus Toledo Notre Dame. I felt I learned a lot just by watching other post players play.”

Another key player who was a factor was Tecumseh junior Caroline Smith, who led the Arrows in assists that day.

“We were not hitting outside shots at all, and they were a quicker, fast team. We had the advantage inside, we just couldn’t get it in to them,” Smith said.

The Arrows will be returning next season for Classic in the Country XIII, against an undetermined opponent and game time.

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