FULTON COUNTY RIVALS … Wauseon’s Ella Tule tries to get off a shot in traffic during last Thursday’s 53-31 win over Archbold. VIEW 106 PHOTOS OF THIS CONTEST FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
WAUSEON (February 15, 2024) – A combination shutout and shooting gallery of a first quarter gave the Lady Indians the leg up they needed for a dominant victory at home Thursday night during conference play against the Archbold Bluestreaks.
Indian junior Mackenzie Stasa posted four free throws and a basket in the first quarter, while sophomore Sophia Rupp sank a basket and the lone three. Junior Johanna Tester and sophomores Marin Leatherman and Aizlynn Coronado each made one basket.
When the dust settled at the end of the first quarter, Wauseon was up over Archbold 17-0.
Wauseon’s shutout survived less than 20 seconds into the second quarter, with Bluestreak sophomore Charlee Forward sinking a three. The Indians responded with their own shortly after from Stasa.
Senior Jenae Kinsman briefly took center stage for Archbold, putting in a basket, a subsequent free throw, and another basket all in under a minute of play.
Wauseon shot back with a layup and basket from Barajas and an especially swift basket from Stasa on a pass in from out of bounds. The Bluestreaks followed up with yet another basket from Kinsman.
Action temporarily stopped halfway through a visit to the line by Coronado, who developed a nose bleed that required some cleaning of the ball and court. Wauseon subbed in junior Ava Pelok, who scored their final point in the half
The final Bluestreak points were notched by senior Alayna Perez with a pair of free throws, bringing the halftime score to 27-12.
Third quarter play ebbed and flowed between the two teams like a dance – a trey from Perez was met by one from Tester, a basket from Stasa was matched by one from Forward, three points via a free throw from Coronado and a basket by freshman Ella Tule were followed up by a three from Perez, a basket by Tester was immediately followed by one from junior Bluestreak Grace Meyer.
It wasn’t until all of that back-and-forth had finished that the Indians were able to put on a small run to the end of the quarter via a basket and subsequent free throw from Tule and final seconds basket by Tester.
The score stood at 42-22 at the start of the fourth quarter, which at first looked to be a repeat of the third.
A basket and subsequent free throw for Archbold sophomore Miley Gericke – the same for Wauseon sophomore Marin Leatherman. A pair of baskets (including a breakaway layup) for Forward – a pair of free throws and a basket for Rupp.
But Rupp’s points would signal the beginning of an eight-point run. A further four points came via a pair of free throws each for Wauseon freshman Laynee Sanford and Barajas.
Another pair of free throws split between two appearances at the line by Archbold freshman Irelyn Selgo wrapped things up for a strong Wauseon victory, 53-31.
Bluestreaks Coach Brian Ziegler complimented Wauseon in comments on the game, saying they deserved the win.
“It’s very hard to come back and win a game when you spot the opponent 17 points,” he said of their own performance.
“We need to forget about this game quickly and move on to Oak Harbor. We are at the point of the season where there is no tomorrow.”
ARCHBOLD (31) – Pedraza 0; Forward 9; Perez 8; Gericke 3; A. Kinsman 0; Meyer 2; J. Kinsman 7; Bowers 0; Selgo 2; Hurst 0; Grime; Ruffer 0; Wendt; Totals: 8-3-6 – 31
WAUSEON (53) – Stasa 13; Tester 13; Leatherman 5; Pelok 1; Coronado 3; Hamilton 0; Rupp 9; Tule 5; Barajas 2; Kissel 0; Ehrsam 0; Sanford 2; Fisher 0; Totals: 15-3-14 – 53
ARCHBOLD 0 12 10 9 – 31
WAUSEON 17 10 15 11 – 53
JUNIOR VARSITY
Archbold 32, Wauseon 25
