By: Joe Shouse, Sportswriter
VAN WERT – The Wayne Trace Lady Raiders laid it all on the line last Saturday in their district championship game against Ottoville but it was the more experienced, senior laden team from Putnam County who would prevail. After playing even for 32 minutes both teams went four extra minutes before the battle was settled. Unfortunately for the Raiders, they were unable to score in the extra session while the Big Green managed three points to take the win 34-31.
It was a disappointing lose for the Raiders who were seeded third. They battled the much taller top seed Ottoville squad that started four seniors. In the overtime it was senior Haley Hoersten who scored in the paint with two-minutes remaining to give the Big Green the lead. Nicole Knippen connected on a free throw with 27 seconds remaining to push the Ottoville margin to three points and the eventual win as the Raiders were unable to get a shot off in the closing seconds.
In the low scoring affair it often times appeared that more jump-balls were called than points being scored. Loose balls and scrambling on the court was often the case as both teams battled for control of the basketball. The largest lead in the contest for Ottoville was five when they led 25-20 at halftime. For the Raiders, their largest lead was four, early in the second quarter and again late in the contest.
Trailing the Big Green 27-23 with five minutes remaining the Raiders sparked a come back, scoring the next eight points. Katrina Stoller bucketed a two-pointer from close range to pull the Raiders to within two at 27-25. Claire Sinn followed with two free throws and Stoller managed to drop two more from the charity stripe to give the Raiders the lead 29-27 with 2:02 remaining.
The Raiders appeared to be in the drivers seat as Ottoville turned the ball over and Claire Sinn was fouled. Sinn went to the line and calmly sank both freebies to push Wayne Trace ahead 31-27 with 1:13 remaining.
Ottoville worked the ball into Hoersten, a senior, who connected on a basket to pull the Big Green to within two at 31-29. With 34 seconds remaining Sadie Sinn was fouled but was unable to connect at the line. Following an Ottoville timeout the Big Green put the ball into the hands of senior Kasey Knippen who scored with seven seconds remaining and the game knotted at 31. The Raiders were unable to get a shot as Ottoville’s defense forced overtime. Knippen led Ottoville in scoring with 9 points.
Scoring for the Raiders was Kaylee Shepherd and Katrina Stoller each with nine, Claire Sinn chipped in six and team mates Rachel Stoller added five and Sadie Sinn two.
The Raiders complete a very successful season at 21-4. Three seniors will graduate from this year’s team including Kaylee Shepherd, Sadie Sinn, and Sara Edwards.
