Avery Wagner (30) of Waterford will move with the ball as Marietta’s Braxin Croft, left, Alyssa Baker defends during Tuesday’s game at Sutton Gym. (Photo: Mike Morrison)
The showdown between Waterford and Marietta at the Sutton Gymnasium on Tuesday night wasn’t even on the Slate at the beginning of the season.
Both teams found an open spot on schedule later in the season, so they agreed to play each other as a final postseason adjustment.
In front of a packed crowd, the Wildcats choked yet another big victory in a season full of them as they were not on their way to a 49-41 victory to pass the first defeat of the season.
The Wildcats smoked early as they connected with four three-pointers in the opening quarter and jumped to a 16-4 lead.
Waterford’s freshman Brinley Pot Meyer has been releasing things by draining one of her own to visit the 6-0 lead to visitors by dropping triple and senior post player Avery Wagner I’ve started.
Waterford’s Avery Wagner (30) competes for a shot by Marietta’s Raygarauer (4) during a match at Sutton Gym on Tuesday. (Photo: Mike Morrison)
Marietta rode the board in a series of buckets by Leigha Lauer and Braxtyn Kroft before the Wildcats were hot again.
The second three-pointer in Pottmeyer’s first period led to sophomore Ava Hurley joining the act with a three-pointer, giving Lady’Cats a double-digit lead.
Wagner closed the quarter with two pointers, increasing the lead to a dozen.
Many may have expected the Tigers to fire, but they’ve been airing from long distances in the first quarter while the Wildcats knocked down a five-quarter three-point attempt It has become.
“We made shots and came out defensively. said Waterford head coach Jerry Close. “Tonight was a great team effort.”
Tiger showed his life early in the second term after Lauer and Waterford senior Avery Smithberger swapped two pointers, and Tiger’s senior Alyssa Baker drained Marietta’s first three pointers .
Marietta managed to play the lead in under three minutes to trim to five, but in another triple by Harley, Pottmeyer stole on the other side and the finish brought Waterford’s lead back to 10.
Lauer closed the half with a two-pointer and sent the Tigers to the eight Trait Rays.
Midway through the third quarter, the Tigers returned the lead to five with a three-point play by Croft, but the Wildcats finished the quarter with a 7-2 run to open a 37-27 lead heading into the fourth quarter I did.
The hopes of a fourth quarter comeback were rushed to crush the Tiger Press as well as getting a simple bucket on the other side.
Kendall Three scored the first two points of the game, scoring Elsie Malek, then scored a back-to-back bucket with Pottmeyer’s assist, giving the Wildcats the biggest lead of the game 43-27 I gave it.
Usually, the sharp-shot Tigers had plenty of open looks to run in the final quarter, but it seems they couldn’t fall anything.
“I couldn’t get a shot tonight. There were so many things I went yesterday and came out tonight and didn’t run it.” Tiger’s head coach Ryan McClain said. “Sometimes, we need a bit humble to reset us on the truck, so we go to the lab and work over the next few days and get ready on Saturday.”
Marietta shot just 30% off the floor (49-15) and made only four-sixths from behind the arc.
Pottmeyer will lead the Wildcats’ path with 16 points, donating five boards, three steels and three assists.
“We waited all year round. She got better from Game 1.” said among his freshmen. “All the games she just got a little better, tonight, she was an open, hot handed game, and we got her the ball.”
Wagner came up with a shot that was just two blocks from recording Waterford’s rare triple double.
The 6-foot-4 senior, who will play at the college level at Division I Purdue Fort Wayne next year, scored 11 points and blocked eight Tiger shots while earning a game-high 15 board.
“Her defensive presence is outstanding and she helps us break the press, whatever we need.” Wagner’s Close said. “She does an amazing job of taking us where we need it.”
Waterford has set his sights on a potential third state championship over the past eight years, and everyone in the area has played a tough schedule to try combat tests.
The Wildcats have won more than 14 games during the season, beating 11 teams, who have won 11 consecutive games.
“It’s another good win. We won 21 this year and played hell with a tough schedule.” Crows said that the team finished the regular season 21-1.
“I’m happy to have got this game… I think it’s great for the community. I think it’s useful for both teams in the tournament.”
The loss was undoubtedly a disappointing one for the Lady Tigers, but they wanted to complete the perfect regular season, so McClain would be able to help a lot as he opens up tournament play on Saturday. I’m hoping for that.
“You’re going to win or learn, we’re going to learn from this.” McLain said. “We were excited about the opportunity and now it’s time to run the tournament.”
Lauer led the way to the Tigers with 18 points and eight boards, with Croft and Baker adding seven each.
Ironically, the Tigers may play Sheridan in the district quarterfinals at home on Saturday.
“The hats are heading for Waterford. They hit some big threes and you have to congratulate them because they played well.” McLain said. “There are a few small things you need to clean up and definitely do it better.”
Waterford will begin his postseason run on Monday as he plays the winner of the Ports Musk Ray New Boston Grenwood Game at Wellston High School.
