By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Bucyrus girls basketball team opened their season with a victory in the Tip-Off Classic over Hopewell Loudon 59 to 39.
Starting out of the gate early the Lady Redmen’s defense held the Chieftains to just 9 points in the first half.
Megan Flaherty and Kelci Sims led the Bucyrus squad with 14 points apiece. Torie Tanner added another 10 points on the way to a 20 point victory.
Bucyrus went 21 of 31 from the free throw line in the game.
Abby Park led Hopewell-Loudon with 13 points.
With the win Bucyrus will face Mansfield Senior Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. for the Tip-Off Classic championship. Senior defeated Riverdale 69-61 earlier Friday night.
The consolation game between Riverdale and Hopewell-Loudon will take place at 5:45 p.m.
The Wynford Lady Royals squandered a 6 point halftime lead to lose to the New Riegal Blue Jackets 59 to 47.
The Royals led going into the half 30 to 24, but were outscored 35 to 17 in the second half as the Blue Jackets’ defense clamped down.
Alyssa Herrer and Ellie Richmond scored 18 points apiece in the game to lead the Lady Royals.
Kara Scherger led the Blue Jackets with 19 points. Taylor Arbogast contributed 18 points to the Jackets’ cause.