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Friday, 02 February 2007 |
 Wapakoneta Redskin sophomore guard Devon Golden dribbles the ball up court and heads to the basket Thursday night against the Elida Bulldogs in a Western Buckeye League game (Staff photo. Kristin Reichardt)
Wapakoneta wraps up at least share of WBL title
By PHIL McLEAN
Staff Writer
ELIDA — For the first time in school history, the Wapakoneta Redskins varsity girls basketball team can wear the crown as Western Buckeye League champions — as they earned the right to share the title with a win Thursday against the Elida Bulldogs.
A win Thursday at home against the Bath Wildcats would give the Redskins the title outright. The Bath Wildcats defeated the Defiance Bulldogs, 59-54, to keep pace with the Redskins.
The Redskins last won eight league games during the 1986-87 season when the Redskins finished 8-1, but Bath won the league with a 9-0 mark that season.
Sophomore Devon Golden sparked the Redskins with a double-double — a career high 25 points and 10 rebounds — leading Wapakoneta to a 74-46 win.
“It was a big game for us,” Wapakoneta coach Brad Rex said. “We weren’t going to let anything happen.”
Elida coach Steve Fersch knew Golden could score since she often paced the Redskins or was second in scoring during early season contests.
“We knew Golden was their second leading scorer,” Fersch said, “but we didn’t know she would have 25 points.”
The 5-foot-9 guard-forward provided much of the offense in the first two periods of play. Golden and freshman post player Heidi Schlegel hit the first two baskets for Wapakoneta in a first period that saw the game tied three times and and the lead change hands twice.
With 2 seconds left in the first period, Golden hit a bucket to give Wapakoneta a 13-12 first period edge. Golden gave the Redskins the lead for good after two more ties and lead changes in the second period when she hit a short-range jumper and hit her free throw after being fouled on the play.
The next time down the floor, Elida turned the ball over and Golden converted another shot to give Wapakoneta a 24-20 lead. Ten seconds later Schlegel hit a basket to increase the lead to 6 points.
Wapakoneta closed out the period on a 14-6 run to enter the break with a 34-26 lead.
Wapakoneta dominated the second half, outscoring Elida 40-20 over the last 16 minutes of the contest.
“We didn’t do a good job of taking care of the ball,” said Fresch, who watched his Bulldogs fall to 2-6 in the league and 9-8 overall.
Elida is scheduled to host the Allen East Mustangs on Tuesday.
Quinesha Dinkins led the Bulldogs with 10 points. Rosie Paris and Mary Ann Conrad helped with 8 points apiece, and Kelly Warris hit for 7 points.
Senior guard Lindsey Kentner joined Golden in double figures with 17 points. She also had eight assists. Schlegel nearly had a double-double with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Senior Abby Harrod scored 9 points from the post, while guards Christy Steinke contributed with 4 points and Brittany Duff hit for 3 points.
“I’m very proud of the girls,” Rex said. “This was a good, solid team effort.”
The Wapakoneta junior varsity made it a perfect night by downing the Elida reserves, 46-37. Katie Greve and Jenna Steveley each had 13 as Wapakoneta
goes to 12-5 on the year.
The varsity Wapakoneta (14-3) will return home for a non-league encounter with the Coldwater Cavaliers Tuesday. The junior varsity game starts at 6 p.m. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 02 February 2007 )
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