Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — Offense for the Wheelersburg Lady Pirates was as easy as one, two, three. Well, three anyway.

The Lady Pirates used nine 3-point goals over the first three quarters to open up a huge lead en route to a 57-24 win over the South Point Lady Pointers on Saturday in the Division III sectional finals.

Despite the loss, Lady Pointers’ coach Dave Adams was pleased with the effort of his team.

“I was really proud of their effort and the way they played all the way through despite the score,” said Adams.

While the Lady Pirates were 9-of 22 from the 3-point line, South Point struggled with all its shooting. The Lady Pointers were just 10-of-45 from the field, 2-of-12 from the arc and 2-of-8 at the foul line.

Wheelersburg (19-4) took a 10-5 lead, but South Point cut the deficit to 13-12 with 1:11 left in the first quarter on a trey by Brooklyn Badgett.

But Kallner answered with her own 3-pointer and Laiken Salyers’ putback gave the Lady Pirates an 18-12 first quarter lead.

Makayla Akers and Kallner, Brittany Swim and Sydney Holden all hit 3-pointers to begin the second quarter and suddenly it was 31-12.

South Point was only 1-of-12 from the floor in the quarter and trailed 38-14 at the half.

“The second quarter was just huge. They hit shots, they out-rebounded us and we just gave them too many opportunities,” said Adams.

“The first quarter we played pretty well. This is still relatively a young group that needs to learn what the next level of play is and that’s what we’re working toward.”

South Point’s offensive struggles continued in the third quarter as they made only 2-of-8 shots and scored just four points to fall behind 55-18.

Madison Kearns had seven points while Badgett had five points and five rebounds for the Lady Pointers (11-12).

Holden had 13 points and 15 rebounds to lead Wheelersburg. Akers had 10 points and six rebounds while Kallner added nine points on three 3-pointers

South Point 12 2 4 6 = 24

Wheelersburg 18 20 17 2 = 57

SOUTH POINT (11-12): Kate Mundy 1 0 0-0 2, Brooklyn Badgett 1 1 0-0 5, Leah Lawson 0 0 0-0 0, Olivia Abner 2 0 0-0 4, Madison Kearns 1 1 2-6 7, Adara Deeds 1 0 0-2 2, Abby Hannah 1 0 0-0 2, Ashley Perkey 1 0 0-0 2, Lakin Adkins 0 0 0-0 0, Nicole Peterson 0 0 0-0 0, Ayanna Martin 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10-45 2-8 24. 3-point goals: 2-12. Rebounds: 17-O, 12-D = 28 (Abner 5, Badgett 5, Mundy 5). Team rebounds: 7. Assists: 3. Steals: 8 (Deeds 2, Mundy 2). Turnovers: 14. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.

WHEELERSBURG (19-4): Ellie Ruby 1 1 3-3 8, Kalle Coleman 2 0 0-2 4, Brittany Swim 2 1 1-2 7, Sydney Holden 3 2 1-3 13, Makayla Akers 3 1 1-3 10, Abbie Kallner 0 3 0-0 9, Laiken Salyers 2 0 0-2 4, Catie Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Leann Spradlin 0 0 0-0 0, Amanda Lewis 0 0 0-0 0, Kendal Warren 0 0 0-0 0, Sophie Hagans 0 0 0-0 0, Sydney White 0 0 0-0 0, Paige Emnett 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 21-52 6-15 57. 3-point goals: 9-22. Rebounds: 19-O, 23-D = 42 (Holden 15, Akers 6, Coleman 5). Team rebounds: 6. Assists: 7 (Holden 3, Kallner 2). Steals: 10 (Salyers 3, Holden 3). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.