Cavaliers prepping for title defense

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - For interviews with Canterbury seniors Tabitha Gerardot and Cassie Kreiger as well as head coach Scott Kreiger and junior Becky Pedro, just click play in the video monitor to the left.

On one hand, it's a very similar situation.  But on the other hand, it's completely different.

When Canterbury takes the floor Saturday at the Memorial Coliseum for the class 1A state championship game, the Cavaliers will be playing their third title game on a different floor.  Canterbury won the 2008 title at Conseco Fieldhouse and the 2009 championship at Lucas Oil Stadium.  So while it's another state title on the line, the surroundings will be completely different.

Even though the state championship game will be held at the Coliseum, the Cavaliers have never played there before.  The team will have the comfortability of playing in their hometown, but playing in the arena will be a new experience.

The players and coaches who have experienced the first two titles are split as to whether or not this championship game loses a little luster since it will be held at the Coliseum.  Missing out on a trip to Indianapolis and playing at Conseco or Lucas Oil has some players a little disappointed, but realizing another title is on the line quickly turns that disappointment into excitement.

For seniors Tabitha Gerardot, Cassie Kreiger, Paige Wells and Molly Sekar, it will be their final game in a Cavaliers jersey win or lose.  The legacy the four seniors will leave at the school will be significant, but they would prefer to end it will a third straight title.

Canterbury will face a familiar foe in the championship game.  Last year, the Cavaliers beat top-ranked Vincennes Rivet 72-66 in overtime to win the championship at Lucas Oil Stadium.  On Saturday, the Patriots come to the Summit City undefeated and ranked number one again.  While there have been a few changes to both teams, it will pretty much be a rematch of the title game from a year ago.

The class 1A state championship tips-off the title games at the Coliseum at 10:30 a.m.