Scoring Blitz Lifts Unioto Past Athens in Girls District Hoops Action

Article Presented By The Bean Foundation…

Unioto’s Lady Shermans rolled past Athens in a 75-53 victory Saturday in the Division 3 District Basketball Quarterfinal at Unioto High School. Following an 8-2 Athens start, Unioto used a series of big scoring runs in the contest to pull away from the Lady Bulldogs.

The Tanks led at the end of every stop in the game, 22-18, 45-32, 59-43, and the 75-53 final.

Athens closed a 30-20 deficit down to 32-30 in the second quarter, only to see the Unioto close the half on a 13-2 run for a 45-32 advantage.

Athens was able to get under a double-digit-deficit once after trailing 46-32 early in the third. The Lady Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run to cut Unioto’s lead to 46-39, forcing the “purple and gold” to call a timeout with 4:55 to play in the period. One minute later, Unioto was back up by double figures the rest of the game.

Unioto’s University of Dayton bound junior Milee Smith put on a scoring clinic in the game, scoring 22 of her game-high 33 points in the first half. Senior Mya Hamilton added 21 points, earning both of them the Litter Media Radio “McDonald’s Players of the Game” honor. Maggie Holbert struck for 10 points, while Keyairah Beard and Kendra Walker added 7 and 4 points, respectively.

Athens was led by 6’1 sophomore Alexis Koopal with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. Olivia Smart tickled the twine for 13 points, Brystal Stump 10, Quinn Banks 8, Asa Holcomb 5, and Ella Champman with 3 points. Holcombe also had 10 rebounds.

Unioto improves to (19-4) as they advance to the Division 3 District Semis at 7pm Wednesday (2/19/25) at Logan High School against long-time tournament nemesis Sheridan. The Lady Generals advanced with a thrilling 51-49 win over Marietta Saturday afternoon.

Athens closes their season at (18-6) and TVC champ.