By: Joe Shouse, Sportswriter
PAULDING – It was a rematch of a game that took place back on February 11, however, this time the implications would be bigger, the winner advancing to the next state tournament game and the loser calling it a season. On Saturday night, the Wayne Trace Lady Raiders and the Crestview Lady Knights laced them up for their second match-up in the past two weeks. Wayne Trace would repeat as the winner just like previous game. The Raiders trailed only once in the first quarter and gutted out a hard fought tournament win 52-43 to captured a Division IV sectional title.
With the win the Raiders (20-3) will advance to the Van Wert District where the number three seed Raiders will play number two seed Kalida on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. In the first semi final game top seed Ottoville will play fourth seed Lincolnview. The two winners will return on Saturday to settle the district championship with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off. For Crestview, the Knights finish the season at 15-7.
The Raiders defeated the Knights a couple of weeks ago on the Knight’s home court 51-46 and coming back so quickly to play again was a concern for Raider Head Coach Bethany DeJarnett.
“It’s not always easy to come back and beat a team twice plus we had not played a game in nine days so it was important for us to come out early with our game face on and ready to play,” DeJarnett said.
The Raiders trailed 8-7 late in the first quarter when Crestview’s Lexi Gregory delivered a three-pointer. Gregory led the Crestview scoring with 22 points, however, the junior got little help offensively with just three other Knight’s scoring.
Katrina Stoller connected on a three-pointer earlier in the initial quarter and then finished the stanza with her second triple with time running out to put the Raiders on top 10-8 after eight minutes of play. The Raiders would never trail the rest of the way. In the second period Claire Sinn connected on a traditional three-point play to give the Raiders their largest first half lead at 17-10. At the half Wayne Trace was on top 21-15.
The third quarter had the Raiders leading by seven before Miriam Sinn scored on a short runner in the paint and then followed it up when she dialed in from long distance with 4:22 remaining. With Sinn scoring five unanswered points the Raiders owned their first double-digit lead 30-20.
Late in the third quarter the Raiders decided the hold the ball for the final 30 seconds. Miriam Sinn answered after dribbling for most of those seconds before connecting on an uncontested triple just before the horn sounded. Heading into the final eight minutes of play the Raiders were on top 37-28. Miriam Sinn just a junior, finished the night with 16 to lead the Raiders scoring.
Katrina Stoller opened up the fourth frame with a three-pointer, her third of the night, to keep the pressure on the Knights and the Raiders leading 40-28. In the conterst Stoller connected on 3-4 from behind the arc.
“In warm-ups before the game I was making my shots and was feeling pretty confident. As a team we came out with energy and was ready to play. We wanted to make sure we got the win and beat Crestview twice this season,” said Katrina after the win and celebrating near center court, holding a piece of the net.
The Raider lead grew to as many as 13 in the final six minutes. On two occasions when the Raiders were leading by 11, Katrine (Stoller) was fouled and went to line each time and canned both free throws. She finished with 15 including a perfect 4-4 at the foul line.
“She did a tremendous job to night. She not only scored but she was assigned to defend Gregory. Yes, Gregory got her points but she had to work for them and I think in the fourth quarter she (Gregory) was worn out. Our defensive effort was really good tonight,” said Coach DeJarnett.
Also scoring for the Raiders were Claire Sinn with nine; Kaylee Shepherd adding six, Sadie Sinn chipping in four and Rachel Stoller with two.
