GALION — Both teams have had setbacks with COVID-19 and injuries, causing both to struggle most of the year. Add the fact that it is a county rivalry, and the stakes were even higher.
Galion jumped out to a 10-point first quarter lead then held of a late Bucyrus charge to win the county showdown, 40-34.
“We played a good first half,” Galion coach Shani Rush said. “I was really happy and pleased with that. Our effort did really well.”
Desi Lester led the charge for the Tigers in the first period with six points as the hosts eased out to a 12-2 lead after one. It was an uphill battle for the Redmen for the rest of the night.
Eight turnovers for Bucyrus (0-16) in that first frame paved the way for the Tigers lead. Redmen coach Britt Ulmer says her team is still adjusting to the loss of point guard Layla Ellis to concussion protocol.
“With Layla being out, kind of running our offense — the point guard kind of sets the tone — definitely reassures everyone else that’s on the floor,” Ulmer said. “I think Maddie (Kimmel) did a great job stepping up these last couple games. Tonight, shed handled the ball for 32 minutes after she got those first two turnovers out of her head.”
While Bucyrus reduced the turnovers in the second quarter, poor shooting continued to plague the Redmen. The hit just three of 17 shots in the first half including two of 11 in the second quarter.
Galion (3-14) didn’t shoot extremely well either, but what the Tigers lacked in accuracy, they made up in volume, attempting 30 shots to just 17 for the visitors.
That was made possible, in large part, to offensive rebounds. The person most responsible was junior Natalee Perkins, who had eight boards in the first half, seven of which were offensive. Perkins finished the game with 15 rebounds, 11 of which came on offense.
“Natalee’s just coming back from a dislocation,” Rush said. “She’s just a hard worker. She gives 110 percent. Natalee’s our go-to girl. I have all the confidence in the world in her. She had a good night rebounding.”
The Tigers increased their lead to 21-8 at intermission and led by as many as 15, at 23-8, on a pair of free throws by Perkins early in the third quarter. From there, the Redmen were only able to trim four points off the deficit to period’s end and trailed 25-14, after three.
“I’m not necessarily worried about the offensive end. That’ll come,” Ulmer said. “I’m pleased with their defensive effort. I told them they work so hard and then don’t box out. We’ve got to finish; we’ve got to tie it all together. We’ll get there.”
After hitting just two of 13 in the third quarter, the Bucyrus offense came to life in the fourth quarter. The Redmen hit seven of 10 shots from the field and five of six free throws to score 20 points. Maddie Kimmel led the way with eight of her 11 points coming in the frame.
The Redmen eventually whittled the deficit to four points on a basket by Emma Tyrrell with 34 seconds left. But they could get no closer.
“I don’t think we’d call it comfortable,” Rush said of the double-digit lead evaporating. “I think it’s more of we’re not used to being in that position. Controlling the clock — I was trying to run some time off the clock — we’re trying to hurry, and I said, ‘Nothing but layups, nothing but layups.’ Towards the last few minutes, we did OK. But we don’t get to work on that very often. It’s just all a learning process with them.”
Tyrrell led Bucyrus with a game-high 12 points and team-high 10 rebounds. Kimmel had 11 points and eight boards.
“I also thing Emma stepped up big for us tonight,” Ulmer said. “Defensively, she’s everywhere. Claire (Schifer) stepped up big for us defensively.”
Perkins had a double-double with 10 points to go with her 15 rebounds to lead the Tigers. Heaven Phelps and Lester added eight points each and Teanna Greter grabbed eight rebounds.
“All wins are good wins,” Rush said. “This is a steppingstone. This is one more win than we had last year. And we’re hoping to get another on and an MOAC win by the end of the year.”
Despite her team’s still seeking it’s first win, Ulmer remains optimistic.
“Definitely 100 percent saw some good things tonight,” Ulmer said. “We’ve got six things we check off on the board and I think we checked off four of those tonight. We check off these other two, the outcome’s a little bit different.”
Box score
Bucyrus 2 6 6 20 — 34
Galion 12 9 4 15 — 40
Bucyrus (0-16): Shots 12-40; 3-pt. shots 1- (Claire Schifer); Free throws 9-16; Rebounds 37 (Emma Tyrrell 10); Turnovers 24. Scoring: Addison Ricker 2 0 4, Maddie Kimmel 2 7 11, Emma Tyrrell 6 0 12, Claire Schifer 2 0 5, Lilly Neumann 0 2 2.
Galion (3-14): Shots 15-56; 3-pt. shots 1-7 (Heaven Phelps); Free throws 9-16; Rebounds 39 (Natalee Perkins 15); Turnovers 21. Scoring: Heaven Phelps 3 1 8, Dezi Lester 4 0 8, Lexi Rush 3 0 6, Virginia King 1 0 2, Natalee Perkins 2 6 10, Emma Jutz 1 0 2, Teanna Greter 2 2 6.