5 reasons why Waynesville are Regional Champs
By Jim Dabbelt Prep Girls Hoops Ohio Trying to keep their undefeated season going, Waynesville was struggling to score in the fourth quarter. They led by eight points late in the third, but they could see their entire season…
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Continue ReadingBy Jim Dabbelt
Prep Girls Hoops Ohio
Trying to keep their undefeated season going, Waynesville was struggling to score in the fourth quarter. They led by eight points late in the third, but they could see their entire season unraveling in the final eight minutes. That’s when the leaders took over.
There was a lot on the line, and that’s when champions step up. The Spartans used an 8-2 run over the final four minutes, as the Waynesville defense shut down the talented Purcell Marian team for a hard-fought 39-35 victory.
Here are my takes of the thrilling game that sent the Spartans to the state.
Play of the Game- Without a doubt, the play with 1:41 left in the game was the determining factor. With the Spartans putting the pressure on Purcell Marian, it was Waynesville senior Marcella Sizer that provided us with the Play of the Game.
She stole the ball at their own end, and broke for the basket with a defender blanketed on her. Sizer missed a couple of close shots earlier in the quarter, but this time, she went the length of the court and scored, drawing the foul and tying the game at 33-33. From there, Waynesville put it away.
Marcella Sizer with the Play of the GameHidden no more- She is overshadowed by the likes of Sizer, Rachel Murray and Lynzie Hartshorn, but sophomore Leah Butterbaugh really shined in the second quarter when Waynesville built a lead. She scored on a rebound to open the quarter, and two minutes later had a steal and layup. Then to cap it off for good measures, she buried a big three late in the half to give the Spartans a 26-21 halftime lead. Safe to say, Leah Butterbaugh is no longer a hidden gem.
What makes her tick?- Rachel Murray was the SW District Player of the Year, and really she was the top choice. But what makes her so good?
She has incredible poise on the court. When things start to get rattled, Murray raises her game to another level. Not only did she go 4-4 from the free throw line in the final 1:41, but her desire to win is at the highest level.
She does whatever she has to do for Waynesville to have a chance to win. Need her to score? She can do that on anyone. Need her to find the best scoring option? She will get the ball to whoever it takes. Also if you need a big stop, she will get it done. She was today’s Player of the Game with 13 points.
Impressive senior- I liked what I saw from Purcell Marian senior Amil Ali-Shakir. She hit big shots when they needed her to, and scored 16 to lead the Cavaliers offensively. She is very quick and athletic and caused Waynesville fits all day long. She tried to keep her team in the game early in the fourth, hitting a big three off an offensive rebound, then on the next possession, the Cavaliers got another rebound and she scored at the rim.
Lynzie Hartshorn seals the win with two late free throws.Still unbeaten- How are they so good? Waynesville is now 26-0 and trying to do something most teams can’t achieve which is perfection.
They have so many weapons. They have the leader in Murray, a post player in Sizer, a fearless winner in Hartshorn, a rising youngster in Butterbaugh and a scrappy hard-working presence in Kenzie Purkey, They know how to win the close games, with 7 games this season that was decided by ten points or less.
They just know how to get it done.