SpringfieldNewsSun.com

ST. PARIS — Several weeks after the basketball season ended, Christie Dodane is still getting kudos from people.

"I've had a lot of people in the community come up to me and say 'Great season, Coach,' " Dodane said.

After winning just four games a season ago, the Falcons went 11-9 in the regular season and challenged for a Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division title.

For the Falcons' successes this season, Dodane was named the 2008-09 News-Sun All-Area Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.

The award is based on regular-season performance only.

"It's a great honor," Dodane said, "But without the kids and their hard work and dedication, we wouldn't have won that many games. They came together and worked hard."

The Falcons started the season 0-3, leaving Dodane with a bad feeling.

"When we lost that third game, I was like 'Ugh.' We have to win a game soon, partly because of the history Graham has had over the last few years," Dodane said. "It says a lot for the kids. It would've been easy to say 'Oh well.' But they didn't. They wanted to win."

Graham then rattled off six wins in their next seven games, including big wins over CBC rivals Indian Lake and Urbana.

"Once we got past that and won some games, the kids started thinking 'Hey, we can win,' " Dodane said. "I preached to them all season 'Hey, you're good. You can win.' "

In the tournament, the Falcons proved how good they could be.

They avenged two regular-season losses to Benjamin Logan, and beat Indian Lake to advance to the sectional final, where they eventually fell to D-II state poll champion Tippecanoe.

The Falcons lose four seniors including Lindsey Ward, Chelsea Black, Cristen Pullins and Megan Graves.

"I'm sad to see them go," Dodane said. "They were great leaders."

Graham returns a strong nucleus, including Darbie and Darcie Zirkle, Sydney Snapp and Tori Purk.

"I'm happy about the season and want to keep it rolling next season," Dodane said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.