LAKESIDE — Danbury’s record and success was not a surprise to Buckeye Central. The Buckettes knew the top seed would be a tough challenge in the Division IV girls sectional final here Saturday night.
But it was how the Lakers started the game that may have confused the Buckettes somewhat in a 48-27 loss.
“We talked all week long about getting off to a quick start. They are so athletic and have some size,” said Buckeye Central (8-15) head coach Phil Loy.
“Believe it or not they’re not a great perimeter shooting team. They came out and made 4-of-7 to start the game from three. So, they’re looking at me like I don’t know what the heck I’m talking about.”
After trailing 5-0, Danbury (22-2) went on a 13-0 run to take a 21-9 after one quarter. Maci Brown, Maria Maringer (a pair) and Michaela Harris all drained threes.
“At that point we have to guard a little tighter on them. And when you have to do that a team like that can attack you. They’re athletic and see the floor so well,” Loy said. “Any shot they miss they just go get it. They’re a great team and they play well together.”
Maringer led the way with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.
“She’s a super nice kid who is accepted to go to Notre Dame and is number one in her class,” Danbury head coach Joe Miller said. “A four-year starter and captain for the last two. Every coach deserves to be able to coach someone like that.”
Maringer got help from Mia McDonald and Michaela Harris, who each had 9 points. McDonald added 10 rebounds.
Maringer scored her 1,000th career point to open the third quarter.
“Maci Brown, our little point guard, dropped some real nice dimes to her in transition a few times,” Miller said. “We can be balanced, and we have some size and our post players can pass the ball too.”
Buckeye Central got 10 points from Grace Collene as she hit the first basket to open both halves of play. She added a pair of rebounds.
Nevaeh Metzger dropped in 8 points, 3 boards and a pair of steals. Aleyse Siefert knocked in 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds.
Danbury advances to play South Central — which knocked off Seneca East 53-39 — in Willard on Thursday night.
“We’ve never beaten Buckeye Central in school history, so this is a big deal for us. Their record doesn’t reflect it but they’re no pushover. We weren’t expecting a blowout tonight and they came ready to go,” Miller said.
Loy said this season had its bright spots. Among those were league wins over Wynford, Colonel Crawford, and Bucyrus and they went 4-4 overall to close the season.
“I’m so proud of our girls and what we’ve accomplished, even though you look at the wins and losses and it’s not impressive. But they have improved a lot as the season went on and we’ve competed with some of the best teams in our league,” he said.
Two seniors played their final game as Buckettes — Ella Evak and Allison Wright.
“Ella was one of our veterans coming in. We’re really going to miss her in the program. Allison, I’m glad she came out this year. She’s been a great part of this program and just leading by example. Winning that locker room. She’s come in and has some strength and length to her, so she’s contributed and been a spark for us,” Loy said.
Evak had 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Wright came in and added a basket and a pair of offensive rebounds.
“Losing five seniors last year and now you’ve got not only new girls, but a new coach. A new system kind to sort of blend it in. That could be maybe why the beginning of the season was a big learning curve and we were putting girls in positions that they hadn’t been in before at the varsity level.”
Eight players on the roster should return next season.
“We do return a good core and they need to put the work in to get back to where we should be,” Loy said.
Box score
Buckeye Central 9 0 12 6 — 27
Danbury 21 6 10 11 — 48
Buckeye Central (8-15): Shots 8-43; 3-pt. shots 1-18 (Nevaeh Metzger); Free throws 10-13; Rebounds 20 (Aleyse Siefert 5); Turnovers 15. Scoring: Grace Collene 3 4 10, Allison Wright 1 0 2, Nevaeh Metzger 1 5 8, Aleyse Siefert 3 1 7.
Danbury (22-2): Shots 17-42; 3-pt. shots 5-15 (Maria Maringer 2, Michaela Harris 2, Maci Brown); Free throws 9-12; Rebounds 27 (Mia McDonald 10); Turnovers 8. Scoring: Maci Brown 1 0 3, Kelly Uhnick 3 1 7, Mia McDonald 3 3 9, Ella McDonald 1 0 2, Maria Maringer 6 4 18, Michaela Harris 3 1 9.