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Canterbury’s Megan Pedro stepped up big in overtime to help No. 7 Fort Wayne Canterbury to its second consecutive Class A state title with a 72-66 victory over top-ranked Vincennes Rivet.

Pedro, who ended with 14, scored seven of the Cavaliers 10 points in the extra session picking up for the loss of star player Tabitha Gerardot who fouled out of the game with 25 seconds remaining in regulation. It was the first championship game decided beyond regulation since 2000.

Canterbury converted 2-of-3 field goals and 5-of-6 from the free throw line in overtime, while Rivet only connected on one of its six attempts from the field during that time.

After Gerardot’s fifth foul, Mallory Niehaus’ two free throws gave Rivet a four point lead at 61-57 with :25 seconds remaining before Becky Pedro came on. On an in-bounds play under the basket, Pedro passed the ball off the back of a Rivet defender, scooped it up and scored and was fouled on the play. She hit the free throw to draw the Cavaliers within one at 61-60 with :13 seconds left. Next, Rivet’s Sara Young was sent to the foul line and made the second of two free throws for a two point advantage. Pedro then hit a jumper with :04 seconds left to tie the game and force overtime.

Gerardot and Cassie Kreiger led Canterbury with 18 points each while Becky Pedro finished with 15. Gerardot matched her Class A state championship game record set last year with 17 rebounds.

Erin Wehrheim finished with 18 points for Rivet, Casandra Brocksmith added 12 and Young 11.

It was the 17^th straight victory for Canterbury and coach Scott Kreiger. The Cavaliers finished 23-4. Vincennes Rivet, the smallest school to ever play in the girls basketball state finals with 92 students and making its first appearance, finished 23-2. The Patriots were coached by Tim Young.

CANTERBURY’S KELLY KARR NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Kelly Karr of Fort Wayne Canterbury High School as the winner of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award.

The award is presented annually to a senior participant in each classification who was nominated by her principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Karr is a four-year member of the varsity team, won her summer league mental attitude award and was voted most valuable teammate.

She’s been active in the Student Government for three years having served as secretary, was a member of the Key Club, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and three times earned first place in state choir competition.

Academically, she holds a 3.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale and plans to attend Michigan State University next fall. She has been named to the Headmaster’s List twice and also on the Honors List the rest of her school career.

She is the daughter of Scott and Anne Karr of Fort Wayne.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, will present a $1,000 scholarship to Canterbury High School in the name of Karr.

The award is named in honor of the former IHSAA assistant commissioner Patricia L. Roy, who oversaw the girls basketball state tournament from its inception in 1976 until her retirement in 1999.

CLASS A POST-GAME QUOTES

Canterbury Head Coach Scott Kreiger
(In general). “It was a great game. I’m sure it was a great game to watch. It was a fun game to coach. Lots of quality play out there. Lots of kids stepping up.”

(On losing Gerardot to fouls) “Our program has never been, nor will it ever be, structured around one kid. When Tabitha went out with fouls, the other five kids stepped up and made plays. That’s what we do. Everyone’s got a role to play, and they play that role well. That’s why we’re a championship team. When we got into the overtime, I really felt positive because the momentum shifted dramatically. The play Becky (Pedro) made right at the end to tie it up really took the wind out of Rivet’s sails. When that happened, I felt like we could strike early. If we could do that and get on top, we could take advantage of the momentum.”

(About his team in overtime) “By getting to overtime they got a second life. … The momentum did shift. Their resolve toughened up even more. They made a couple of plays at the defensive end and continued to score at the offensive end. I think they sensed the change in momentum and took advantage of that.”

(On getting down in second half but coming back) “I think the experience of this team showed. They’ve been in that situation before and didn’t panic. They simply played 32 minutes, and in this case played 36 minutes. That’s something they’ve been able to do all year.”

Tabitha Gerardot on how she felt after fouling out: “Everybody was just so tough. It was just comforting for me to see how strong everybody was. I really enjoyed watching them, even though I wanted to be out there.”

Paige Wells on what the championship means: “This one is really special. We fought really hard to get where we are. Winning this year seals the deal and proved we could do it again.”

Rivet Head Coach Tim Young
(At end of regulation) “We still executed. They turned up their defense. We missed a couple of free throws down that stretch.  There were two or three inside shots from 6-7 feet  that we were making throughout the game that just didn’t fall. They made some very difficult driving shots that tied the basketball game.

(In overtime).  “Typically when you see overtime basketball games, the team that jumps out early, then the other team starts getting back on its heels and quits attacking. I think we might have done that.”

(On having no seniors). “These young ladies sitting here beside me are very disappointed. But guess what. The group of ladies out there today, plus one, is coming back next year.”

(On how his team played when Tabitha Gerardot fouled out for Canterbury) “I think we might have, as a team, relaxed and may have got a little overconfident at times. I’ll take full responsibility for that, for not conveying the situation properly to my players and giving them the confidence to keep attacking the basket. Our game plan was to attack her as much as possible. I thought we started settling for 12-15-foot jump shots once we fouled her out rather than continuing to take the ball to the basket.”

(On shooting in Lucas Oil Stadium) “I was pleased with how the setup was. It’s an amazing basketball setup. … I think the Lucas Oil Stadium staff did a tremendous job. It’s a basketball arena, too.”