MASSILLON — Buckeye Central head coach Abram Kaple has a familiar saying: “Defense travels.”
It went the entire 92 miles from New Washington to Massillon Perry High School for the Division IV regional semifinal game, with the Buckettes winning 41-20 over Berlin Center Western Reserve to advance to Saturday’s title game.
The line score for Western Reserve read: 0, 7, 4, 9 — 20.
“Shots weren’t falling. You’ve got a chance to control our effort and how we’re defending things. I thought we did a good job of that,” Kaple said.
Kate Siesel was cold in the first half and had just two free throws. She heated up quickly after halftime, scoring 19 of her game-high 21.
Siesel had 4 three-pointers and added 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.
“It’s a matter of time. She got good looks in the first half, and she just didn’t make them. Our message was continue to shoot the basketball and it snowballs for us. It increases our defensive energy when we’re making shots,” he said.
Buckeye Central (23-3) had a cold shooting night, hitting 13-of-39 overall from the field and 5-of-17 from the 3-point line.
Western Reserve (18-9) was worse, shooting just 23% (7-of-30) and 3-of-14 from beyond the arc.
Siesel said not much changed at halftime.
“The coaches told me to keep shooting, keep your head up and they’re always supportive. A zone always helps. It gets shooters open,” Siesel said.
With one win to go to return to the state tournament, Siesel knows what lies ahead.
“It’s a big opportunity. We’ll have a really good practice tomorrow and then probably an early morning one on Saturday. We will focus on defense for that game, box out and rebound.”
Angela Cappabianca had 9 and Alyvia Hughes added 7 for the Blue Devils.
“I’m proud of us for defending the way we did despite the struggles on offense in the first half,” Kaple said.
Getting an early lead was critical for Buckeye Central.
“We’ve seen them on film get a lead and try to take the air out of the ball. The first three minutes of the game you want to get a lead, and this is the type of team you don’t want to have to play from behind.”
The Buckettes forced 17 turnovers (10 in the first half) and committed just 5 themselves.
New Middletown Springfield (23-3) topped Dalton (12-15) in the first game, 44-33, to get to the finals on Saturday at 7 p.m.
“We got some defensive rebounds and found Kennedy (Deppen) in transition. She did a good job of attacking the basket. Two and-ones to start the game. That’s a strength getting her to put it on the floor and we’ve been encouraging her to finish off two feet,” Kaple said.
“The last six weeks she’s definitely been doing that. Credit to her for being coachable and sticking with it.”
Deppen had 14 points and 4 rebounds, including 9 of her team’s 11 points in the first quarter when Buckeye Central led 11-0.
“It was just recognition, honestly. I recognized they were coming out on me, and I saw the lane was wide open,” Deppen said. “We knew from practice there’d be plenty of space to drive so I took it to the hoop.”
Deppen said the slow pace to the game played to the team’s defensive strength.
“That’s when we have to just dig our heels in and play on the defensive end. If we’re missing shots we have to go up and get rebounds, get bodies on people and grab boards. At this point in the season, it’s about defense,” she said.
Being back at the same venue as last year, Perry High School, was beneficial.
“It gave us a touch of familiarity, with the setting. It’s a big game, but our nerves were calm for us 5 seniors. We knew where we were at, and it made it a lot easier.”
Senior Sydney Wurm returned to the lineup for the first time since the regular season, scoring on a 3-point shot and grabbing a pair of rebounds in about 16 minutes of action.
“You hate to see any kid get hurt and Syd was having a great year for us. Limited minutes which is good and limited is better than zero. At a time we needed it she helped energize us a little bit, our team and our crowd,” Kaple said.
“It was great to have her back on the floor and if we continue to win, we’ll get an uptick on her minutes as well.”
Siesel’s 4-point play with 6:10 to play was the final dagger as it put BC up 36-11.
“It was a huge play. She kind of got hit pretty good on that. It felt good to be able to sort of coast the rest of the way and get some of the other kids on the floor. We got all 12 in and that’s fun for them and a great experience,” Kaple said.
Paige Collene and Ryley Kantzer each grabbed 4 rebounds and had 2 steals. Nevaeh Metzger added 3 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist.
The Buckettes have just Friday to prepare for the regional championship.
“The good thing is we played Springfield last year and we got to see them a couple times this year in January. We know their MO. They’re big. They’re physical and really good on the offensive glass,” Kaple said.
“The (Jacey) Mullen girl is tough. Jameka (Brungard) is big and they’re similar to Mohawk. A lot of times we’re playing teams with more size than us. You’re dealing with injuries and whatnot, but you’ve got to dig your heels in for Saturday night.”
Box score
Buckeye Central 11 4 15 11 — 41
Western Reserve 0 7 4 9 — 20
Buckeye Central (23-3): Shots 13-39; 3-pt. 5-17 (Kate Siesel 4, Sydney Wurm); Free throws 10-12; Rebounds 23 (Kate Siesel 5); Turnovers 5. Scoring: Kate Siesel 6 5 21, Sydney Wurm 1 0 3, Kennedy Deppen 5 4 14, Nevaeh Metzger 1 2 3.
Western Reserve (18-9): Shots 7-28; 3-pt. 3-14; Free throws 3-4; Rebounds 20 (Lisa Eichert 5); Turnovers 17. Scoring: Lisa Eichert 2 0 4, Alyvia Hughes 2 3 7, Angela Cappabianca 3 0 9.