(March 5th, 2015) – PAULDING: In a battle between the second seeded Wapakoneta Redskins and third seeded Wauseon Indians, the opening round of the Division II Districts brought about an intense matchup that was still in question through most of the fourth quarter.
Wauseon was unable to pull off the mild upset, though, as they fell to Wapakoneta 48-45.
It was the Redskins who got off to an early lead. Pulling away late in the first quarter, the girls of Wapakoneta finished the period with an 11-5 advantage. That stayed constant at the end of the first half, with the Redskins keeping themselves 6 points ahead going into the locker room. At the half, the Lady Indians were on the wrong end of a 23-17 score.
The second half saw the Wauseon girls come roaring back. Chipping away at their disadvantage throughout the third period, they were able to tie the game in the fourth. Sariah Yackee had a lot to do with that, providing the Indians with baskets when they were most needed. Yet, the Lady Redskins were able to hold on down the stretch, clinging to another 6 point lead with just seconds to go. Natalie Koenig put a half court shot through the bottom of the net as time expired, but it was only enough to cut their deficit in half.
Yackee had a monster evening for Wauseon. Whether it be scoring in transition, earning trips to the free throw line, driving base line, or knocking down three-pointers, the senior did a little bit of everything in her attempt to will her squad to victory. She had an impressive 23 points in her final game in an Indian uniform.
Koenig also was effective with the ball in her hands. Making some tough baskets off the dribble drive, Wapakoneta seemed hell bent on preventing the senior standout from being a factor in the contest. Still, with a couple of triples tacked on as well, she was able to total 18 points against a strong defense determined to stop her.
Fellow seniors Maddie Richer and Sally Frank struggled on the night, with each Wauseon girl putting up 2 points. Richer just couldn’t get her shot going, following up her phenomenal 19 point performance in the Sectional final with just a single basket. Frank didn’t take a lot of shot attempts, knocking down a mid-range jump shot for her lone scoring contribution in the game.