The Wildcats advances past the Panthers
By: Thomas Billington
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WELLSTON, Ohio (WOUB) — The Waterford Wildcats (21-1, 10-0) play their first game in the Division VII girls Playoffs after a first-round bye, against the Clay Panthers (11-11, 2,6). This game was played at the neutral site of Wellston.
The Wildcats are heading into this playoff match after defeating the Marietta Tigers, at Marietta, last week. While the Panthers played against conference competitor Glenwood, in the first round of the Playoffs. A team that the Panthers defeated, just a week after losing to them.
Once the action began, the Wildcats began to show their dominance as Waterford managed to score 15 points in the quarter. They were aided by Avery Smithberger, going three for four in the paint. The quarter ended with a Waterford lead of 15-4.
The action in the second was the same as the first, as Waterford continued to outscore the Panthers. Clay was simply not a match for the Wildcats, as if one player slowed their scoring another one would step up. So, in the second, when Avery Smithberger slowed her scoring, Kendrall Surly stepped up. She would hit two threes, and two two-pointers to end the half with 13 total points on her way to score 16 points.
The Panthers and the Wildcats went into half with Waterford up, 32-7.
Smithberger talked about what Couch Close said to the team at half; “Coach [Close] is very heavy on transitions. At half, he told us to get the ball up the court as quick as possible, and that’s what we tried to do.”
After half the Wildcats kept the pressure on the Panthers, but after the first two minutes of the half, Waterford pulled its starters. This allowed for the underclassmen on the squad to get minutes in the game.
The third was a story of Waterford fouls, as six of Clay’s eight points came at the free-throw line. Waterford still managed to keep pace with the Panther’s scoring, as both teams scored eight points in the quarter. The third period ended with a score of 40-15.
The fourth quarter played out the same as the rest of the game, as Waterford continued to keep up the pressure. However, Clay was able to score seven points throughout the quarter while the Wildcats only put up four points. The game finished up with a final score of 44-22 in favor of Waterford.
The Clay Panthers end their season with eleven wins and 12 losses. The teams best record since the 2018-19 season.
The Waterford Wildcats will play Notre Dame in the District Finals.