Sports
Lady Buckeyes Send Seniors Off With A Win
By: Patrick Gifford
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It was a fitting ending for a special group.
The Nelsonville-York Lady Buckeye (12-7, 6-4 TVC-Ohio) seniors took the floor in their home gymnasium for the last time Wednesday night, and responded by defeating the Wellston Lady Golden Rockets (12-9, 4-6 TVC-Ohio) 60-47.
Seniors Angela Meade, Brooke Breeze, Jennah Addis and Cassidy Dupler all started the game for N-Y, and helped the Buckeyes establish an early lead that they would never relinquish.
In a game in which Wellston attempted 27 3-pointers, it was the strong inside play of the Buckeyes that helped to propel them to victory. Although it was senior night, junior Madison Davis still had no trouble tallying another double-double, which have become to feel all too common. Davis finished the game with 10 points and 14 rebounds. The junior also had six blocks and prevented Wellston from getting too many open looks inside.
Neither side shot the ball particularly well, with both teams shooting below 30 percent from the field. But N-Y was able to connect on 15 free throws, compared to Wellston’s seven made free throws.
N-Y stayed in a 1-2-2 zone defensively for the majority of the game. This defense proved to be tough inside, and forced many outside jumpers for Wellston. Unfortunately for the Lady Golden Rockets, they were not able to connect on many. Wellston shot just 26 percent from beyond the arc.
Nelsonville-York led 37-22 at half time, and opened that lead up to 51-32 at the end of the third quarter. With 5:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, Nelsonville-York head coach Amanda Dalton began to take out her four seniors. With tears in her eyes, she hugged each senior as they exited the game.
Meade led the Lady Buckeyes in the scoring column with 13 points. Breeze, Davis and sophomore Kaitlyn Hurd all finished with double-digit scoring totals.
For Wellston, junior guard Lexi Hunphreys led the way. Hunphreys scored 15 points while attempting 20 field goals. Junior Alexis Hopkins finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Lady Buckeyes now turn their attention to the Meigs Lady Marauders. The two teams will face off on Saturday in the second round of tournament play. Meigs defeated River Valley 48-36 on Wednesday night, putting them through to face N-Y. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m at Athens High School.