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CREDIT: Renee Nemeth/SOSA
LUCASVILLE — What was already a history-making season for West got a little more special after Wednesday.
Facing Minford for the third time this season, the Senators jumped all over the Falcons from the opening tip and campaigned their way to a 54-34 win in a Division III district semifinal.
The victory allows the Senators (23-1) to punch their ticket into their second-ever district championship game (2013).
The senior-laden Senators took control in the early minutes after Sydney McDermott scored on consecutive putback layups before a mid-range jumper from Charlie Jo Howard forced an early Falcon timeout. Minford’s Marlee Pendleton scored twice inside to cut the Senator lead to 7-6, but that would be the closest the Falcons came on the night.
McDermott carried on her hot start by nailing a pair of corner 3’s off drift passes from Deaver and Emma Sayre, helping the Senators take a 21-12 lead after the first quarter.
“All week, we’ve been working on shooting,” McDermott said. “We talk about rhythm shots and so when we get into the game, it’s just like rhythm when you shoot.”
The hot shooting of McDermott was a major factor and opened the floor for Sayre to consistently create her own shot with a variety of smooth drives to the basket and pull-up jumpers.
PHOTOS: Images from West’s win over Minford
“It’s really hard to guard,” Sayre said, “If they close out on me like I’m shooting a 3, it gives me an open lane to an easier shot. Coach [Larry Howell] always gives us a scouting report and I think it’s key to stick to your scouting report along with doing the little things that other teams might not want to do.”
McDermott and Sayre combined for 26 points in the first half as the Senators rolled out to a 35-17 lead at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, the Falcons (15-9) continued to battle with Pendleton and Lindsee Williams combining on some nice high-low action to keep Minford competitive. But the balance of the Senators proved to be too much in the second half.
Deaver, McDermott, Sayre and Maelynn Howell all scored in the third, including Howell hitting a streaking McDermott on a backside dive for a layup, to help control a 20-point lead before closing for the win.
“It’s awesome. We’ve grown up and played our whole lives together,” McDermott said, when asked about her kinship with Howell. “We’ve known each other so well and she’s a great asset to our team.”
Sayre led all scorers with 20 points on the night, while McDermott tallied 19 points and five rebounds for West.
Williams led the Falcons with 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Pendleton added nine points.
West returns to action at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Waverly’s Downtown Gym in a Division III district final against Portsmouth, who defeated Adena to advance.
BOX SCORE
Minford: 12-5-9-8 — 34
West: 21-14-11-8 — 54
Minford: 14-31 FG, 4-5 FT, 0-3 3pt., 17 rebounds (Williams 8), 16 turnovers, 11 assists (Williams 4). Scoring: Williams 14, M. Pendleton 9, Cronin 4, Conkel 3, Hammonds 2, Risner 2.
West: 18-46 FG, 14-19 FT, 4-15 3pt., 21 rebounds (Howell 7), 5 turnovers, 10 assists (Deaver 5). Scoring: Sayre 20, McDermott 19, Deaver 7, Howell 6, Howard 2.
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