Girls Basketball: Shermans Tame Tigers 60-43
Article presented by The Bean Foundation …
The regular season showdown between Circleville and Unioto became a runaway for the Shermans in the end, resulting in a 60-43 win for the visiting club.
Despite falling behind 7-3, Unioto’s defensive pressure became too much for Circleville. The Shermans rallied to take a 9-7 lead on back-to-back three-pointers by Keyairah Beard and Scioto Valley Conference Player of the Year, Milee Smith shooting over the Tigers’ 2-3 zone. Circleville managed to knot the score at nine, but Unioto quickly closed out the first period on a 10-2 run for a 19-11 edge.
“They play good 2-3. So, I knew we had to be ready to catch and shoot the ball, move the ball” said Smith after the game. “I felt like passing around the perimeter and just giving our teammates open shots was what we needed to do tonight.”
The Tigers were unable to close that gap, falling behind 36-23 by halftime and 49-30 through three quarters.
Unioto’s pressure was a concern for the Tigers entering the contest, having lost point guard Brooklyn Cramer for the season with a knee injury. Compounding Circleville’s offensive attack, Maddie Blakeman picked up three early fouls and had to take a seat. The Tigers were forced into 25 turnovers for the game while Unioto’s quickness paid off in transition baskets keeping the Tigers at bay.
“When we have good defensive stops, it carries over to our offense” said Smith. “When we do that, it just carries the game and we end up taking the lead.” Smith was named McDonald’s Player of the Game.
The Tanks had the advantage on the boards also, outrebounding Circleville 30-16. Unioto’s sharp shooters landed 10-of-25 three-pointers to the Tigers’ 2-of-4.
The battle featured District 14’s Division IV Player of the Year, Addison Edgington against the Division III Co-Players of the Year in Milee Smith and Mya Hamilton. Edgington managed 21-points, 10 of them in the first period. Circleville was effective offensively when they could get the ball inside to Edgington, but it still wasn’t enough. Smith (19) and Hamilton (18) combined for 37-points for the Shermans’ attack.
Tournament play is up next for both teams this Saturday with 2pm tip-offs. Unioto (18-4) will host the winner of Wednesday’s Athens-Chillicothe game in the D III Sectional while Circleville (18-4) is home with the winner of Wednesday’s Waverly-Logan Elm match.
SCORING:
UNIOTO (60): Milee Smith, 19; Mya Hamilton, 18; Keyairah Beard, 11; Maggie Holbert, 6; Kendall Walker, 4; Kiley Puckett, 2.
CIRCLEVILLE (43): Addison Edgington, 21; Ally Thornsley, 5; Kaylee West, 4; Maddie Blakeman, 3; Jocelyn McLaughlin, 3; Mallory McConnell, 3; Juliana Sims-Ross, 2; Kaelin Burchett, 2.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO HEAR THE INTERVIEWS AND THE GAME REPLAY
