Bulldogs exit postseason with loss to Sheridan
By: Luke Schmitt
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THORNVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) – The Athens Bulldogs (20-3, 12-0) traveled to Sheridan (19-4, 12-3) on Thursday, February 19, for their second postseason game of the week, the Generals hosting the Bulldogs in the District Quarterfinals.
Both defenses are stout, Sheridan allowing opponents to average 28.7 a game, and Athens allowing opponents to average 33.6. The defense in the Southeast Division of Region eleven is impressive, and this was apparent from the start.
Sheridan brought the full-court pressure early, attempting to trap Athens in the backcourt and forcing turnovers. That press remained through the night, the Lady Generals forcing sixteen Bulldog turnovers.
Athens fought back against the press, leading 9-5 after the first quarter; their defense also came to play against Sheridan, Bulldogs plucking 10 steals as a team.
The first quarter break would be the last time Athens would see the lead, Sheridan marching out and ahead of the Bulldogs, holding an 18-13 halftime lead. Mylie Forgrave led the way for the Generals, finishing with eleven points.
Sheridan maintained its strong performance in the second half of the game, preventing the Bulldogs from gaining the lead. The Generals took a total of 19 shot attempts, which included both two-pointers and three-pointers, as well as 19 free throw attempts. They successfully made eleven free throws, contributing eleven points that put them ahead of Athens.
The Bulldogs only had five free throw attempts, as the calls were not going their way against Sheridan. Athens shot 25% from the floor, and they lost two of their seniors, Ella Chapman and Olivia Smart, in the fourth quarter due to fouling out. Chapman was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer with nine points, five boards, two assists, and two steals.
The Generals defeated Athens 35-31 in a high-intensity defensive rock-fight, disappointingly ending the Bulldogs’ season.
Athens lost in the District Quarterfinals three years in a row each following a TVC title win, but the Bulldogs have plenty to be proud of.
The team won 20 games, went undefeated in conference, winning 12 against their rivals, and their defensive metrics this season under first-year head coach Jeff Skinner were off the charts.
Quinn Banks and Ella Chapman each hit 1,000 points in the Athens regular season finale against River Valley, Olivia Smart filling in the gaps as the team’s glue girl for the last four seasons. Those three senior Bulldogs’ names be etched forever in Athens history.
As for Sheridan, they will play one-seeded Unioto at Logan next Monday, Feb. 23. The Sherman Tanks are coming off a win against the fourth-seeded Marietta, winning 55-34 against the Tigers. The District Semifinals are set, and Unioto vs Sheridan is bound to be a battle.