Sigonella’s Ryleigh Denton takes a shot in the Division III championship game at the DODEA-Europe basketball finals in Ramstein, Germany, Feb. 18, 2023. Sigonella took the division crown with a 36-25 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Top-seed Sigonella continued its unbeaten streak in Division III by deposing defending champion AFNORTH in the 2023 DODEA-Europe basketball final, 36-25.
The Jaguars rode an early lead into the fourth quarter Saturday and then held off a late surge by the Lions, who came within six points of tying up the game midway through the final frame.
But turnovers and missed shots cut short the momentum and Sigonella put the final touches on a hard-fought victory in the closing minutes.
“It was really challenging but I’m glad we stayed together and played the game we knew,” said senior guard Fabiola Mercado-Rodriguez, the girls’ Division III most valuable player.
Mercado-Rodriguez scored four points. Sophomore Ryleigh Denton dropped in three 3-pointers, leading the Jaguars on offense with 13 points.
When her long shots found the net, “it was a relief,” Denton said.
Also lighting up the boards for Sigonella was junior post Laney Reardon with 12 points.
“I think it was all just discipline,” said former Sigonella hoops star Averi Chandler, who coached the Jaguars this year with her mom, Michelle Chandler, on what keyed the Jaguars victory and winning season.
“We teach the girls from the beginning of the season that you need to play disciplined defense, disciplined offense and be patient.”
The Sigonella Jaguars celebrate their Division III title after defeating AFNORTH 36-25 at the DODEA-Europe basketball finals in Ramstein, Germany, Feb. 18, 2023. Sigonella took the title with a 36-25 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH’s Selah Skariah drives to the basket against Sigonella’s Fabiola Mercado-Rodriguez in the Division III championship game at the DODEA-Europe basketball finals in Ramstein, Germany, Feb. 18, 2023. Sigonella took the division title with a 36-25 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella’s Alexandria Alonso shoots over AFNORTH’s Paula Bohlen in the Division III championship game at the DODEA-Europe basketball finals in Ramstein, Germany, Feb. 18, 2023. Sigonella took the division title with a 36-25 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella’s Leila Denton, right, battles AFNORTH’s Paula Bohlen in the Division III championship game at the DODEA-Europe basketball finals in Ramstein, Germany, Feb. 18, 2023. Sigonella took the title with a 36-25 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella’s Laney Reardon pulls down the rebound in front of AFNORTH’s Kailey Koger in the Division III championship game at the DODEA-Europe basketball finals in Ramstein, Germany, Feb. 18, 2023. Sigonella took the title with a 36-25 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH’s Paula Bohlen goes to the basket between Sigonella’s Laney Reardon, left, and Leila Denton in the Division III championship game at the DODEA-Europe basketball finals in Ramstein, Germany, Feb. 18, 2023. Sigonella took the title with a 36-25 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The Jaguars cruised through this year’s tourney undefeated. In what was their first full season since 2020, due to the pandemic, they won as much as they lost against Division II rivals in Italy and went undefeated against Division III opponents. They reached the finals with a decisive 40-25 win over Baumholder on Friday.
The second seed Lions earned the chance to defend their 2022 title with a 25-17 overtime victory Friday against Brussels.
Leading the Lions on offense Saturday was senior Paula Bohlen with eight points and junior guard Izzy Guest with 10 points, including two three- pointers.
“We made a comeback but then I think we got in our heads for just little bit too long and the momentum we had, we just let it slip away,” Bohlen said.
Coach Matt Wise gave credit to Sigonella. “They really earned it and deserved it,” he said. The difference, he said, was execution and some missed shots by the Lions, while the Jaguars “hit some long-range shots.”
But despite coming up short this year, Wise said, “I’m just proud of our girls too.
“All you can ask is to get to the championship and have a crack at it every year,” he said.
“I think we left everything on the floor,” Guest said. “I’m really proud of the seniors. I’m going to miss playing with them.”
For Sigonella, Mercado-Rodriguez, Denton and Reardon were named to the Division III All-Tournament team. Bohlen and Guest also made the team for AFNORTH.
