Unioto Wins District Title On Smith Tip-In At The Buzzer

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Unioto’s Lady Shermans won their first basketball district title since the 2014-15 season after rallying from a 15 point third quarter deficit in a 57-55 win over defending champ Sheridan, Friday at Southeastern High School.

Unioto freshman Milee Smith scored 19 of her game-high 31 points in the second half, including the game winning tip-in off her own missed short range shot in the lane, for the victory. That opportunity came after Smith stole the ball when Sheridan inbounded the length of the court from the bucket with 5.2 seconds to play. Smith also had 18 rebounds.

The Lady Generals led after every quarter, except the last one, seeing Unioto outscore them 25-9 in the fourth period. Sheridan held their biggest lead of 39-24 with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter, only to see Unioto’s full-court pressure defense rattle the Lady Generals into numerous turnovers.

Sheridan led 16-14 after one quarter, 29-20 at half and 46-32 after three quarters.

Sheridan looked as if they would run away with the contest after the third quarter, as 5’11 junior Jamisyn Stinson connected on four three-pointers in the second half. She would end the game with 23 points, while Nora Saffell added 14 and Ava Heller with 12.

The Lady Shermans were led by Milee Smith’s 31 points, followed by Amaris Betts with 7, Magnolia Holbert with 6, Alexis Book with 5, and 2 from Amelia Uhrig.

The Lady Shermans’ improve to (25-0) and will face (25-0) Fairland in the Regional Semis February 28th in Zanesville. Fairland advanced with a 66-39 win over Fairfield Union in the other district bracket at Southeastern.

Watch the season finale of the Litter Media LIVE Postgame Show, with highlights, player and coaches comments from the Unioto-Sheridan and Paint Valley-Glenwood games, by clicking the show image below: