It’s that, or her career is over.
“We’re as ready as we can be,” Purvis said. “We’ve just got to push ourselves more than ever. I pushed myself hard the last game, but I’ve got to push myself even harder. It’s crunch time. I don’t want to go home yet.”
The Cougars (19-4) will play Alter (18-5) in a Division II district final game at Mason High School at 5 p.m. today.
Purvis had 28 points as KR beat rival Tippecanoe 72-67 in double overtime, for the third time this year, on Feb. 26, with three starters on the bench in the waning moments.
It’s the second consecutive trip to the districts for the Cougars. Last year, they lost to Chaminade Julienne 56-51 in overtime.
“We’re 19-4 just like we were last year,” Purvis said. “Nothing’s different. We just have to learn from our mistakes.”
The Knights, a powerhouse who’ve been to the state tournament the last three years in a row, have won eight of their last nine games. They’re led by junior guard Allison Bockrath (12.5 points), senior forward Whitney Dabbelt (9.9 pts, 6.6 reb) and senior guard Courtney Christie (8.7 pts, 3.7 assists).
Alter, ranked eighth in the final D-II state poll, beat Wilmington 50-42 on Feb. 26 at Springboro to advance to the districts for the 11th straight season.
“Their offense, they run it well and they run it very disciplined,” said Cougars coach Ed Foulk.
The key, he said, will be foul trouble and style of play.
“Like the last game, we can’t get in foul trouble,” Foulk said. “Hopefully, we can get up and down the floor more than they’re used to. They’re happy with a 31-30 win.”
Purvis and her teammates expect a big-game atmosphere. They plan to lay it on the line and focus on playing the game the best they know how.
“We’re ready,” Purvis said. “It’s going to be a big stage. We just have to worry about what’s going on on the court, and not anywhere else.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365.
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