By: Joe Shouse, Sportswriter
HAVILAND – The Paulding Lady Panthers invaded the Palace last Tuesday, Dec. 11, to battle cross-county rival Wayne Trace on the hardwood. The Panthers led early at 2-0 and again at 5-4 before the Raiders took the lead for good. A Claire Sinn three-pointer put the red-white-and-blue on top 7-5 and the Raiders would never trail, coasting to a 42-37 win.
The Raiders took an 11-9 into the second quarter and quickly increased their advantage to 15-9 on two Sadie Sinn free throws and a Miriam Sinn two-point bucket. The sticky Raider defense didn’t allow a Panther basket until Bri Townley connected from closed range with 1:51 remaining and the Panthers trailing 19-12. Paulding managed to stay within striking distance when junior Chelsi Giesige pulled the trigger on a three-pointer to close out the first half. The Raiders went to the locker room holding a 20-15 lead.
Wayne Trace used the long-ball to increase their third quarter margin. After Townley scored to open the third quarter scoring and pulling the visiting Panthers to within three at 20-17, the Raiders responded with back-to-back-to-back treys. Katrina Stoller dialed in from the deep corner followed by a three-pointer from Clair Sinn from the same spot as Stoller. Sinn then added another three-pointer with 5:31 remaining on the clock and the Raiders up by eight 29-21. The stanza closed out with two free throws from Sadie Sinn and a free throw by Chelsi Giesige and the Raiders leading 31-24 heading into the final eight minutes of action.
Kaylee Shepherd, who finished with 14 points, nine coming in the fourth quarter, drained a triple to open the quarter. The Shepherd bucket gave the Raiders a double digit margin, 34-24. The Raiders held their advantage in the closing minutes before Chelsi Giesige connected on a lay-up to narrow the Raider margin to just three at 40-37. However, two Shepherd free throws in the closing seconds iced it for the Raiders for their fourth consecutive win.
“Give much credit to Paulding. They are a much improved team over last year and they are going to win a share of games this season,” said Wayne Trace Head Coach Bethany DeJarnett
Joining Shepherd with double figures was Claire Sinn who tossed in 13 markers,
“We got the momentum going our way in the second half and I thought we took care of the basketball. Shep (Kaylee Shepherd) played very well tonight. We got some solid play from some kids like Sara Edwards, Rachel Stoller, and Tiffany Sinn who gave us some good minutes tonight,” DeJarnett said,
For Paulding, Townley led all scorers with 16 with team mates Chelsi Giesige and freshman Audrey Giesige each adding eight.
Shooting on the night was off for both teams. Paulding shot 14-40 from the floor for 35 percent while the Raiders were 12-41 for 29 percent. The Raiders connected on six baskets behind the arc while the Panthers hit just three. From the foul line, Wayne Trace connected on 12-16 while their opponent was 6-8. Paulding won the battle of the boards with 34 to 26 and in the turnover department Paulding totaled 18 to the Raiders11.
“We have been an up-and-down free throw shooting team so far this season. Tonight we did much better and that’s what wins ball games,” commented DeJarnett.
