PERRYSBURG - Perrysburg's girls have
surprised many with their unlikely run to the
Division I regional finals.
If that run is to continue, the Yellow Jackets will
need to pull off their biggest surprise yet against
Toledo Waite on Saturday.
Tipoff is 1 p.m. at Norwalk High School.
"To be honest with you, this is unexpected," said
Perrysburg coach Todd Sims of his team's second
straight regional final appearance.
Waite, 22-2 overall and ranked sixth in the final
state poll, features an impressive lineup with size,
speed and skill.
Leading the way is All-American and top Ohio Ms.
Basketball candidate Natasha Howard, who is
averaging 23.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game
this season. The 6-foot-3 Howard, who will play
collegiately at Florida State, scored 28 points and
had 18 rebounds in the Indians' convincing 73-34 win
over Lorain Southview in the regional semifinals on
Tuesday.
Howard is a complete player, leading Waite in steals
(3.9 per game) while also adding nearly 2.5 assists
per contest.
"Obviously she's a great player," said Sims of
Howard. "The thing about her is trying to contain
her. Try not to let her go crazy and make her work
as much as we can for her points."
Though Howard is the leader for Waite, she is by no
means the Indians' only threat.
6-2 junior Shanice McNeal had 21 points and 8 boards
against Lorain Southview, and is averaging 12.8
points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Along with their height, both Howard and McNeal are
able to run the floor and finish fast breaks on a
regular basis, and are active on defense getting
steals and blocks.
"We can defend them in the half court, I hope some,"
Sims said. "But we can't defend the deflections and
the breakaway layups."
Waite's guards are solid as well, as 5-9 Mariah
Haynes had 12 points and seven rebounds in the
semifinals and averages 11 points per game. Courtney
Jackson (5-7) leads the team in assists (3.9 per
game) and Brooke Hunt (5-5) has 72 steals this
season and hit three 3-pointers in the regional
semifinals.
"Every time we play somebody teams have a focus and
obviously Waite's very good inside and they're good
outside also," Sims said. "We need to concentrate
inside and work our way out. They're guards are good
enough to make threes, obviously ... We just can't
let them get comfortable."
The key for Perrysburg (18-6) will be its ability to
stay in the game early. Falling behind will be next
to impossible to overcome with Waite's ability to
score (68.9 points per game). Perrysburg averages
47.5 points per game.
The 'Jackets will need another strong game from its
post players. Nicole Delas (5-10) and Erin Mesker
(5-11) combined for 30 points and 18 rebounds in
Perrysburg's 44-36 win over Brecksville Broadview
Heights in the regional semifinals.
"We're really excited and we're nervous at the same
time because we have to play Waite," said Delas, who
had 16 points and 13 rebounds against Brecksville.
"But we've just got to play tough and box out and we
can win it."
Mesker leads the team with 10.7 points and 7.0
rebounds per game. Delas adds nearly six boards per
game. Emily Treece (5-10) has played solid off the
bench for the 'Jackets this season as well.
Guard/forward Kelsea Newman's (6-0) ability to hit
the outside shot will be essential to prevent Waite
from focusing entirely on the inside. Newman (10.2
points per game) had eight points in the semifinals,
including two big 3-pointers.
Guard-play will also be key against Waite's pressure
defense. Perrysburg's starting backcourt of Lindsay
Matolyak (5-5) and Alyssa Goins (5-6), as well as
reserves Taylor Knight (5-5), Kirsten Goins (5-6)
and Lydia Moser (5-7) will have to take care of the
basketball.
"The biggest thing about playing teams like Waite or
your city teams that are very quick, you can't give
them open layups. You can't turn the ball over,"
Sims said.
With only one returning starter (Mesker) from last
year's regional final team, Perrysburg will need to
be able to handle the atmosphere of playing for a
trip to Columbus. Several of this year's main
players were on the bench or in the stands for
Perrysburg's loss to Toledo Start last season.
"Some of them didn't play very often and sat on the
bench ... But at least they were in the gym. I think
that helps a little bit," Sims said.
Perhaps the best thing going for Perrysburg is the
fact that there is little to no pressure on the
'Jackets. Waite is the clear favorite and is
expected to win.
"We have absolutely no pressure on us whatsoever,"
Sims said. "If anybody around thought we'd be at
this point I think they're fooling you.
"Our plan is to just go and play, let it rip and do
the best we can and whatever happens we're OK with."
WHAT: Perrysburg (18-6) vs. Toledo
Waite (22-2), girls Division I regional final.
WHERE: Norwalk High School.
TIME: Saturday, 1 p.m..
TICKETS: $8 per person.
DIRECTIONS: Follow U.S. 20 east from Perrysburg.
Take the U.S. 250/Route 13 ramp toward
Norwalk/Ashland. Turn left onto U.S. 250/Benedict
Avenue and follow until Shady Lane. Turn left onto
Shady Lane and follow until the high school. |
