NEW WASHINGTON — Buckeye Central takes a 24-1 record and a record sixth straight district championship into the Division IV regional tournament.
It also takes three highly motivated seniors in Claudia Pifher, Emily Siesel and Julia Evak to Massillon Perry High School for its date with New Middletown Springfield tipping off at 6 p.m.
Pifher appreciates the success and counts on the support.
“It’s honestly just amazing. It’s indescribable, just the feeling. This is what it’s all about,” said Pifher, who averages 20.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per outing.
She spoke shortly after her team disposed of Seneca East 52-21 in the district title game at Willard High School last Saturday.
The 5-9 Pifher, who also led the Northern 10 Athletic Conference with a 47 percent 3-point shooting mark, paced the Buckettes with 21 points and 6 rebounds.
“We came out and we focused on defense and got off to a really good start. It really helped and led to a lot of easy offense for us,” she said.“We’ve seen them so many times. We knew what they were going to do. We just wanted to come out strong and play our game.”
Starting off fast is a recipe for success, like jumping on top 16-1 and building a 40-7 halftime lead.
“Once we find the hot hand, we keep feeding it,” Pifher said. “Then everybody comes alive with the momentum.”
It’s a team effort, but it is hard to not focus on Pifher’s accomplishments.
Midway through the first quarter of the district final, she broke the school’s all-time leading scoring, previously held by Dan Thallman, with 1,556 career points. Pifher now sits at 1561.
“That’s something to be proud of, but obviously a district championship feels a lot better,” she said.“Tournament wins is what we’re looking for. Individual stuff comes second.”
It is even more impressive when you consider Pifher missed the team’s first 11 games with a broken wrist suffered in the pre-season.
The victory marks six consecutive district championships for Buckeye Central.
“We felt confident coming into the game. Going into tournament games, you have to know this is going to be your best shooting game and that’s the mentality we came in with,” Pifher said. “And we turned the pressure up on defense, that’s what made our confidence rise.”
The record sixth district title also reflects on the school’s rich basketball heritage.
“So, making history, it’s a credit to the ones who came before us and all the hard work that they put into it. We did it for them and for our community.”
The trio want to keep playing.
“We come out when it’s tournament time and we don’t want our season to end. We just preach to the younger ones to want it, and to play with heart.”
Emily Siesel has been a rock for the team this year. The 5-8 guard is averaging 19 points, 5.4 assists and 7 steals per game.
“As three seniors, we take a lot of leadership and try to get the younger ones involved. We talk about responsibility, clean things up and go out here and get a win,” she said.
Pifher knows she is following in some big footsteps, including her sister Courtney who played here.
“Buckeye Central has molded some great athletes, I’m just lucky to be part of the history here. The tradition we have here is great. There is so much love there and I’m so grateful to have that. They always come out and support us.”
Julia Evak, BC’s 5-10 post, summed it up:
“We like the fast pace. We’re ready for regionals.”
She averages 4.3 points and 4 rebounds per game and is a prime defender.
Despite the score, the girls are looking forward to a few days to recover before playing Springfield.
“It was a physical game. The rest is needed,” Pifher stated.
The winner plays either Dalton or Bristol, who square off at 8 p.m.