Waterford’s Kendall Three will score a shot during the regional semi-final match against Fisher Catholic at Jim Myers Gym on Thursday. (Photo: Mike Morrison)
Logan – As Division VII women’s basketball tournament moves in the game, it becomes tougher and tougher…or should.
So far, it’s been a bit easier for the state’s two-time champion Waterford Wildcats.
After winning with a margin of 22 and 30 points to win the district title, the Wildcats once again won the Fisher Catholic Irish 51-22 at Jim Myers Gymnasium in Logan in the Regional Semi-finals on Thursday night.
Waterford seniors Avery Wagner and Kendall Three never looked back on the Wildcats’ early leads and improving to 24-1 in the season.
“A great effort from the kids tonight” said Waterford head coach Jerry Close. “I thought we crashed the board pretty well. Our defense was pretty solid and we looked after basketball.”
Waterford’s Brynnlee Pottmeyer will be on layup during his regional semi-final match against Fisher Catholic at Jim Myers Gym on Thursday. (Photo: Mike Morrison)
The Wildcats struggled a bit to get their shots early, but were still pulled to a double-digit lead in the opening quarter.
Junior guard Elsie Malek scored five points during the opening period, while Wagner added four points as the Wildcats built a 12-2 advantage.
The Irish got a pair of free throws by Sydney Ellis to open the second quarter, but the Wildcats responded with a 6-0 run capped with a three-pointer.
Fisher Catholic freshman Hadrigirum ended Waterford’s run with a long three-ball, but the Wildcats once again finished with a 7-0 run capped by a Thule Triple, taking a break from a 25-9 lead.
“I think we came out pretty well and we were able to stick to the game plan.” Sury said a great start. “We knew they were going to play the zone, so we knew we were going to get some open looks and we started making some.”
Avery Smithberger of Waterford will drive the lane during the regional semi-final match against Fisher Catholic at Jim Myers Gym on Thursday. (Photo: Mike Morrison)
Wagner and Three scored nine points in the opening half as the Wildcats managed to get a big lead over their 28-28 shooting performance.
As always, defense played a major role in the Wildcats’ early success.
“We missed out on some with paint early on, but our defense gave us time to go.” Close said the team did not allow double digits for any quarter. “Our seniors are great leaders for these young children and it’s great to see how this team has matured this year.”
We were hoping that the way the Irish people return to the game would last about two minutes in the third quarter as the Wildcats opened the second half to blow the opening with an 8-0 run.
Three scored a second-half run, with free throws and senior Avery Smithberger ousting a two-pointer out of Wagner’s assist.
Wagner was one of Waterford freshman Brinley Pottmeyer’s Game High 5 assists, with the three swelling the lead to 33-7 and closing the run again with two pointers.
Fisher Catholics scored a long three-pointer from Gillum in the third quarter, but the Wildcats once again closed the period with a 6-0 run, leading a 41-13 lead to the final eight minutes of play.
The Wildcats have participated in many huge games over the past few seasons, and Wagner felt their experience played a key role in the success of the postseason so far.
“The experience was huge and we learned a lot from the people who came before us.” Wagner said. “It’s really important that our seniors lead when we needed it when we were young and now we continue that tradition.”
“He led the cat with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Sally finished with 13, including three from behind the arc.
“We wanted to get strong in the second half, but we didn’t let them get close and we managed to do that.” said Three, who was a freshman on the 2022 Wildcat Championship team along with Wagner and Smithburger. “We talked about halftime and we needed to lock in and went in the third quarter.”
Smithberger and Malec scored eight and seven points respectively as the Wildcats won 14 times in a row.
“We knew we had to come here with the idea of winning or going home.” Wagner said. “It feels good to be back in the regional finals, so I hope I can continue doing that.”
Fisher Catholics were led by Gillum’s 11 points as the season approached its end with a 22-4 standout record.
The victory set up a highly anticipated rematch on Saturday for Logan’s regional title between the Wildcats and Berlin Hilland.
The Wildcats will prefer Saturday’s repeat, progressing to Final Four last season, winning a thrilling 53-51 overtime victory over the Pickarlington and Close’s Hawks.
“We were hoping for this matchup and wanted to get it. He said it was close. “We’re ready and give you the best shot.”
