Indian Creek girls preparing for their toughest test yet

District final opponent, top-seed Tri-Valley, brings 22-2 record to Saturday’s contest

CAMBRIDGE -- Indian Creek has been the underdog in each of its tournament games so far this post season, having taken down two higher seeds to make what many would have considered an unlikely district championship appearance.

The Redskins will again be the underdog seeking an upset in Saturday's Division II, East 1 District Championship when they face top-seeded, 22-2 Tri-Valley at Cambridge High School.

"It's a tall task for sure," Indian Creek coach Steve Eft said of facing the Scotties. "We were breaking down film as soon as we got home (Wednesday) and first thing (Thursday) morning. They're a really good team, they are 22-2 for a reason and have played some really good competition.

"It's going to be a tall task, but we are playing our best basketball right now at the right time and we're going to go out there Saturday and see what happens."

Creek is the No. 8 seed and sits 11-12, but has wins in four of the last five having taken down No. 6 St. Clairsville (55-32) and No. 4 Zanesville (56-52) in the tournament to reach this point.

It is the second time the girls program at Indian Creek has played for a district title in as many years, as last year's regional qualifying team took the title, but five seniors departed from that group, making the quick return trip with a new cast extra special.

"What this group has done in this post season has given them more confidence," Eft said. "A couple of them were on the team last year and the year before, they have been a part of some special run, but they weren't a huge part. Now this run is theirs, they are leaving their mark now.

"It's pretty special, this is our second district championship appearance in a row and its exciting any time you're still playing this time of year. Hopefully we can keep it going."

Freshmen standout McKenna Scott leads Creek averaging 11.9 points per game, adding 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.9 steals. She has 14 and 16 points in the two tournament games.

Kylie Anderson averages 10.8 points and a team-best 8.8 rebounds, one of the areas Eft pointed to as a key on Saturday.

Tori Robertson averages 7.3 points, but racked up 20 in a breakout performance in the district semis.

The Scotties, who finished fourth in the final Ohio Associated Press girls basketball poll, are led by junior standout Lexi Howe, who averaged 17.6 points per game in the regular season with 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 steals.

"She is a three-year starter for them," Eft said of Howe. "She was a starter for them as a freshman, I believe, on the team they had that went to the final four before COVID shut it down (in 2020). She is a really nice guard, she is really quick and she can shoot it. She's also a really good defender.

"They've got a lot of really good players, they defend really well."

Tri-Valley has defeated No. 17 River View (71-27), No. 18 seed Indian Valley (46-23) and No. 11 Philo (54-23) to reach the final. Its only losses are to New Philadelphia and Sheridan during the regular season.

The Scotties as a team average 54.2 points per game, and allow just 32.1. Indian Creek enters the matchup averaging 45.8 points for and allow 47.5.

"We are going to have to take care of the basketball and play really solid offensively and defensively," Eft said. "They defend really well and we have to limit our turnovers. They play a couple different defenses we have to prepare for.

"They are also a really good reboudning team, so we have to keep them off the glass and do our best to limit them to one shot to have a chance.

"They have really good athletes and a very well-coached. It's going to be a challenge, but the girls are excited to be in this game and we're going to go compete."