It was all hands on deck Thursday night at Wauseon Middle School as the Lady Bears battled in the Semi Finals, taking on a competitive Liberty Center team. From the first jump ball, until the final seconds, both teams battled until the end, with the Bears winning in a thriller finish, 35-34.
The Lady Bears started the game aggressive offensively and defensively, knocking down multiple 3’s and going 3 of 4 from the free throw line, leading at halftime 17-14. Out of halftime, the Tigers managed to sneak their way into a lead at the end of the 3rd quarter 24-25. It was a back and forth battle throughout the entire 4th quarter. With less than a minute left, the Tigers led the Bears by one. With multiple fouling attempts to get the Tigers to the foul line, the Bears had one more foul to give with only 18 seconds left on the clock. It was there, the Bears, as a team, decided they weren’t ready for the season to be over. With 18 seconds left in the game, Emma Yoder, who’s defense is known to be aggressive and quick, knocked the ball loose from the Lady Tigers to give the Bears one last shot on offense. It was there, all five Bears on the floor, touched the ball in a thriller possession. Yoder quickly made a pass up the floor to Anni Grant who, with confidence, moved the ball to a safer spot on the floor. Grant passed the ball up the floor to Molly Ruffer who made it safely to the half court line, before passing the ball to Harper Smith. Smith, known for her one on one drives to the basket, recognized a open lane. Smith drove hard to the basket where she recognized Brynn Schlachter, who dropped to the opposite block, with no defenders on her, was open. A quick pass from Smith to Schlachter had the entire gym in silence, waiting to see what would happen next. Schlachter, who was unhappy with her shots previously in the game, went up strong and with confidence to make a game winning block shot to give the Bears a 34-33 win over the Tigers. Harper Smith led the Bears with a new season high 21 points. Brynn Schlachter scored 7 points and Molly Ruffer chipped in 6 points.
The Lady Bears want to give a huge “thank you” to all the students, parents, family and friends who came out to support them.
The Bears are back in action, playing in the championship game, Saturday in Evergreen to take on the Archbold Bluestreaks at 9am.