FAST START … Aunali Reyes scores inside for Wauseon in the third quarter of a 42-34 non-league win over Delta. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
WAUSEON (December 14, 2023) – Despite finding a rhythm in the second half, the Lady Panthers were unable to come back from a near-shutout first half performance by Wauseon in basketball Thursday evening as they fell 42-34.
The Lady Indians’ dominance began in the first quarter, when they shut out Delta entirely, scoring 12 points while the Panthers failed to make a single attempt out of eight, including a failed long three from senior Ashlyn Lamb at the buzzer.
Among the scorers for a very aggressive Wauseon were junior Johanna Tester and sophomores Aizlynn Coronado and Sophia Rupp.
The second quarter began much the same as the first, with successful baskets from Rupp and Tester as well as a three from junior Mackenzie Stasa.
In that time, the Panthers missed four shots as well as a pair of free throws from Lamb. Lamb actually sank her second free throw attempt, but no points were awarded due to her stepping past the line.
It wasn’t until more than four and a half minutes into the quarter that Delta was finally able to put points on the board, when senior Grace Munger sank both free throw attempts after a foul was called on Wauseon sophomore Marin Leatherman.
The breakthrough seemed to knock the Panthers’ cobwebs loose, and they were able to make two more baskets in the next 90 seconds of play, from seniors Ella Demaline and Olivia Smith, but that would be the end of their scoring for the quarter.
Despite losing their shutout status, Wauseon was able to continue driving up the score before the half, with a shot from outside and a free throw by Coronado as well as a basket from Stasa, bringing the score to 25-6.
Delta came alive after halftime, outscoring the Indians 12-10 thanks largely to the efforts of junior Kendall Sprow, who managed four baskets on her own.
One of those shots came after a stolen pass, a desperate toss to keep the ball in bounds, and a long pass to the other end of the court brought the opportunity.
Stasa, Leatherman, Coronado, Rupp, and junior Aunali Reyes rounded out the scoring for Wauseon.
If there was a shift in energy after the half, it went into overdrive during the final quarter, when an invigorated Panther squad showed nearly the level of dominance demonstrated by the Indians during the first half.
The Indians’ Reyes sank two baskets and Rupp put one in from distance, but theirs would be the only points scored by Wauseon in the final quarter.
Meanwhile, Sprow continued her momentum with two baskets, sophomore Keagyn Gillen did her part with a pair of baskets, and Lamb and Smith each put one in up close.
As the clock ran down, Sprow managed one last buzzer beater for three, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit, and Wauseon took the win at home, 42-34.
DELTA (34) – Demaline 2; Munger 2; Todd 0; Friess 3; Sprow 15; Lamb 2; Gillen 4; Smith 6; Totals: 13-1-5 – 34
WAUSEON (42) – Stasa 6; Tester 3; Leatherman 1; Pelok 0; Coronado 11; Rupp 13; Reyes 8; Totals: 10-6-4 – 42
DELTA 0 6 12 16 – 34
WAUSEON 12 13 10 7 – 42
JUNIOR VARSITY: Delta, 30-24