Sports
Waterford Lady Wildcats: Dec. 13-20
By: Connor Martin
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Last Monday, the Waterford Lady Wildcats hoped to stay undefeated at week’s end after a tough stretch of basketball games. Seven days later and three more victories for the Lady Wildcats, gave them a perfect 6-0 on the season.
The first night of action came against the Miller Lady Falcons on Dec. 14. The Wildcats grounded the Falcons, 69-29 playing a very balanced offensive game.
“Being balanced is the key to this season and was the key to last season as well,” coach Close explained. “It limits the defense so they can’t key on one player.”
Mariah Starkey, Dani Drayer and Regan Porter all scored 12 points for the Wildcats. The unselfishness between players allow them to play at a high level. However Close believes the team has room to improve on “little mistakes on defense and being lackadaisical around the post.”
The Lady Wildcats used the win to carry them into their Dec. 17 matchup against Southern. The Lady Tornados hoped to cause an upset alert, however Waterford cruised to a 78-41 victory. Megan Ball led in scoring with 18 points. As a team, the Lady Wildcats shot 52 percent from the field and outscored Southern 22-5 in the fourth quarter.
While the score may not have indicated, Close believed Southern was the best team Waterford has played so far. Close explained the Lady Tornados moved the ball well, exposing some of the Lady Wildcats’ flaws.
This game also came with a cost. Erin Roush and Mariah Starkey were injured. Prior to injuring her groin, Starkey scored 12 points for the Lady Wildcats.
With a couple of starters having to sit and a rotational player being hurt as well, Waterford entered the domain of the Federal Hocking Lancers on Dec. 19.The Lady Wildcats lost a step in their game but fought off the Lady Lancers 56-30.
“Right now we are just trying to get healthy,” Close said.
He added the team had trouble shooting, but mentioned sophomore point guard, Hannah Duff, got her first start and played well, scoring seven points.
Looking forward, the Lady Wildcats travel on Dec. 21 to face a tough Eastern team, but will be down a few key players. Eastern finished second in TVC-Hocking a year ago, right behind Waterford
However, Close likes how his girls play on the road and he thinks that the hostile environment “really gets them goin’.”