The women’s basketball team has anticipated Friday’s game since Feb. 16, 2008. One that date, the Hounds won a Regional match-up against Ben Davis 56-45; the last loss the Giants would suffer before a record-setting winning streak would begin. The Giants have since won 76 consecutive games, breaking the state record for women’s high school basketball. The Hounds, having been the last team to beat Ben Davis, feel that it is their job to stop the winning streak.

Stephanie Irwin, junior and power forward, said “It would mean a lot to beat Ben Davis. We were the last team to beat them, so winning on our home court would prove to them that we are top contenders.”

Head Coach Scott Bowen, said that Ben Davis is always one of the team’s biggest rivals. He said via email, “ Ben Davis is very good defensively and (they) pressure you for the entire 32 minutes. (This year) they also have a Miss Basketball candidate, Bria Goss, who is a very good player.”

According to Irwin, the Hounds need to be focused and stay aggressive in order to win Friday’s game. Bowen said, “ We need to handle Ben Davis’ pressure and not give them easy opportunities in transition or second and third shots from offensive rebounds.”

Bowen said the team would prepare for the competition with a game against Brebeuf on Tuesday, followed by two tough practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

Irwin said that along with the drills and running, the Hounds are also working on getting mentally focused. She said, “We are getting pumped and focused for this game. We are trying to get mentally and physically prepared during practice.”

Bowen said last year’s loss to the Giants was a tough one. He said, “We played them at Hinkle Fieldhouse and led with about five minutes to play and just couldn’t hold on in the end.”

However, according to Bowen, the team has shown a lot of progress since that loss and the beginning of this season. “We have improved our team chemistry, which is vital to a team’s success in the tournament.”

Bowen and Irwin both said ending the Giant’s winning streak would be a huge feat for the team. Bowen said, “(Beating Ben Davis) would create a really neat memory for our kids.” By Alex Mackall <[email protected]>