Less than 24 hours after a loss to now four-time defending Ohio Christian College Athletic Association state champion Mansfield Christian in a semifinal, New Hope Christian showed its grit and character by bouncing back to end its season by routing First Baptist Christian 47-21 on Saturday in the third-place game inside Ohio Christian’s Maxwell Center.
“We were really proud of how the girls responded to the disappointment of falling short against Mansfield Christian yet again,” New Hope coach Brian McCallister said. ” We talked about how it’s important how you respond to things…adversity doesn’t build character — it reveals it, and we played a consolation game with the same enthusiasm as a championship game. A team with less character would not have shown up to play.”
The Statesmen jumped out to a 15-8 lead following a period of play. Four players scored during the quarter, led by Maren McCallister tallying seven points, and Jenna Tripp and Eden Leist adding a three-pointer each.
New Hope clamped down on defense in the ensuing two quarters, allowing only a three-pointer by Chloe Meng in the second quarter and a free throw courtesy of Kate Burman in the third.
The Statesmen extended their lead to 27-11 at halftime and 36-12 headed into the fourth quarter.
McCallister scored six points in the second quarter, with Kayla Winner and Tripp each knocking down a triple.
Tripp and Leist both connected on a triple in the third quarter.
McCallister led all scorers with 20 points, Tripp and Eden accounted for 10 apiece, Ivy Hines tallied four points and Winner had three.
Meng had nine points and Burman added eight for the Sabres.
The Statesmen ended their season at 18-6 overall and have posted a 53-33 record over the four-year careers of McCallister, Tripp, Leist and Hines.
New Hope defeated Westfall (three times), Amanda-Clearcreek, Grandview Heights, Chillicothe, Columbus Academy, Whitehall (twice), Fairfield Christian (twice), Heath, Huntsville, Ark. and Washington Court House during the four-year stretch.
“I can’t say enough about our four seniors (Ivy Hines, Jenna Tripp, Eden Leist, and Maren McCallister),” Coach McCallister said. “We challenged them from the day they got into high school. They never had the luxury of a JV schedule to help them develop.
“Every game they played was a varsity contest. They responded with a record of 53-33 with many quality wins.”
Ohio Christian School Athletic Association
Third-place game
New Hope Christian 47,
First Baptist Christian 21
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN — Jenna Tripp 3-1-10, Eden Leist 4-0-10, Maren McCallister 7-6-20, Ivy Hines 2-0-4, Kayla Winner 1-0-3. Three-point goals — Tripp (3), Leist (2) and Winner. Total — 17 7-11 47.
FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN — Chloe Meng 3-0-9, Sophia Turnick 1-0-2, Kate Burman 3-1-8, Kara Gravley 1-0-2. Three-point goals — Meng (3) and Burman. Total — 8 1-3 21.
Quarter scores 1 2 3 4 F
New Hope Christian 15 12 9 11 47
First Baptist Christian 8 3 1 9 21
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