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West Branch ousts Struthers
By Tom Williams
AUSTINTOWN
For the sixth time in seven seasons, the West Branch High School girls basketball team will play for a district title.
Monday, the Warriors (23-2) overcame a sluggish start against Struthers to post a 49-43 victory in the Division II district semifinal at Fitch High School.
Emma Rankin and Kayla Hovorka each scored 11 points while point guard Brenna Rito scored 10 and made six steals.
“Our intensity grew a lot,” Rito said of the difference of the third quarter. “I think we were a little nervous at first, the we kind of settled in.
“This is our home away from home.”
Ahead 21-19 at halftime, the Warriors seized control with a 7-3 run. Rankin hit a 3-pointer while Natalie Zuchowski made two baskets.
“They did a good job of beating us up, took us out of our offense,” Struthers coach John Grandy said. “They played pretty good defense.”
Later in the third quarter, the Wildcats’ Karli Shives and Khaylah Brown each scored baskets to reduce the Warriors’ lead to 33-29.
Down the stretch, the Wildcats would get no closer.
“It’s pretty sweet to get to the final again,” West Branch coach Walt DeShields said. “You only get a few chances at this.”
DeShields said the Warriors were motivated by last year’s loss at Poland in the sectional final.
“This is their chance,” he said of Thursday’s district title game against Southeast (21-3), which advanced by defeating Howland, 61-53.
“It’s a great feeling,” Rito said of playing for a district crown. “We’re glad to be back here so we’re going to give it our all.”
Rito frustrated the Wildcats as her steals led to some easy second-half baskets,
“I get nervous about the layups, but I think it’s so much fun stealing the ball,” Rito said.
The game seesawed throughout the first half.
“We knew they would be ready to play,” DeShields said.
“They rebound the ball extremely well. “Natalie and Kayla caught into foul trouble and Shannon Wolfe and Hannah Ridgway came in during the second quarter and sustained the lead we had. There was no panic in our locker room.”
Brown and Alexis Bury each scored 11 points to lead the Wildcats (18-6, winners of the All-American Conference White Tier). Trinty McDowell contributed eight points, four rebounds and four steals.
”They’ve had a great season, they are a young team and they will probably be back here again next year,” DeShields said.
“For the most part, we did a decent job keeping them off the boards and not giving them second shots.”
The Warriors limited Emily Grandy to six points, one basket from behind the arc.
“She’s a great 3-point shooter,” DeShields said. “Sarrah Tennefoss did a fantastic job [guarding] her.
“The third quarter was the key,” DeShields said of the frame where the Warriors outscored the Wildcats, 18-12. “We pulled away. Rankin made a couple big 3s for us in the second half.
“We spread our offense, it caused them some problems to have to chase us.”
Shives is the lone senior on the Wildcats.
“We will miss Karli,” John Grandy said. “She didn’t lead us in any category, but she was our heart and soul. Her character will be hard to replace.”
Grandy said his team enjoyed a good season.
“They gelled well together, maybe we over-achieved,” Grandy said. “
A lot of good things happened this year.”