WILLARD — Buckeye Central is a team on a mission.
Lucas just happened to be the latest team in the Buckettes’ path.
Buckeye Central poured in 24 first-quarter points and never looked back as the Buckettes defeated the Lady Cubs, 66-43, in the Division IV district championship at Willard High School.
The win advances Buckeye Central to regional tournament at Massillon Perry on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. where they will meet Cornerstone Christian. It will be the Buckettes’ second straight appearance in the regionals.
“We lost four senior starters from last year,” Buckeye Central coach Greg Moore said. “For us to be back to the regional tournament is amazing.”
One returning starter, Jenna Karl, is a big reason for this year’s tourney run. Karl scored 11 points in the decisive first period and finished with a game-high 22 points.
Along the way, Karl became Buckeye Central’s all-time leading scorer, boys and girls, and set the single season and career three-point records as well.
Meanwhile, Lucas coach Kathy Grover had a realistic assessment of the game and her team’s season.
“I told the kids we had to keep fighting,” Grover said. “With our age and youth, it was a great run. It can’t be all puppies and sunshine. They’re not the No. 1 seed for nothing.”
The Cubs have no seniors on the roster and only two juniors, yet they finished with a 17-9 record.
“We got off to a quick start,” Moore said. “But hats off to Kathy. She’s doing a good job of turning that program around.”
The coach’s daughter, sophomore Jessie Grover, led Lucas with 17 points and six rebounds. Junior Ashley Robertson finished with nine points.
Buckeye Central (24-1) effectively put the game away with a 19-point second quarter to expand the lead to 43-23 at intermission.
“They had six 3-pointers in the first half and a 20-point lead,” Grover said. “They shot the ball very well in the first half.”
The Buckettes hit 16 of 30 shots in the first two quarters. Karl and freshman Taylor Ratliff split the six 3s. Ratliff ended with 16 points and eight rebounds.
“I’m proud of the team effort,” Moore said. “And it’s great for a freshman to score like that.”
The Cubs never got closer than 20 in the second half as Buckeye Central coasted to the victory.
Courtney Pihfer had a quiet 15 points as the third BC player in double figures.
“We’ll go back, look at the tape and work hard,” Grover said. “We want to be as good as they are.”
Despite the margin of victory, Moore found some things for his team to work on going into regional play. The Buckettes had 19 turnovers and were 10 of 24 from the foul line.
“We turned it over too much and part of that was Lucas played hard,” Moore said. “We got a little sloppy at times, so we have to sharpen up on the turnovers.
“The free throws are uncharacteristic,” he added. “We won’t continue in the regional shooting like that.”
Buckeye Central 24 19 17 6 — 66
Lucas 14 9 12 8 — 43
Stats
Buckeye Central (24-1): Shots 24-51; 3-pt shots 8-16 (Jenna Karl 4, Taylor Ratliff 3, Courtney Pifher); Free throws 10-24; Rebounds 35 (Jenna Karl 8, Taylor Ratliff 8); Turnovers 19. Scoring: Jenna Karl 8 2 22, Taylor Ratliff 6 1 16, Courtney Pifher 6 2 15, Kyleigh Brown 1 5 7, Lexi Evak 1 0 2, Elizabeth Heydinger 2 0 4.
Lucas (17-9): Shots 16-38; 3-pt. shots 2-4; Free throws 9-11; Rebounds 22 (Jessie Grover 6); Turnovers 22. Scoring: Kayla Hignitte 3 0 6, Jamie Grover 1 0 2, Morgan Spitler 1 0 2, Jessie Grover 5 7 17, Paige Arnold 3 0 7, Ashley Robertson 3 2 9.