HOLMES TOWNSHIP — Wynford started off red-hot and stayed lukewarm long enough to hold off a late Bucyrus rally for a 55-46 girls Northern 10 Athletic Conference win Friday night.
The Royals’ freshman guard Caroline Sheldon drained a pair of three-pointers and classmate Brooke Frombaugh added a basket as the hosts raced out to an 8-0 lead before a packed house in the W.R. Donnenwirth Gymnasium.
“They tried to take a couple of players out of our offense at the beginning and we responded real well there,” Wynford head coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon said.
The Lady Royals used their patented full-court press to keep the Lady Red off balance in the first half.
“We created some momentum trying to press. Unfortunately, we had some lapses and Bucyrus had an outstanding fourth quarter. They shot really well, and we didn’t respond defensively. We had a big enough lead at the end to be able to put it away,” Taylor-Sheldon said.
Bucyrus scored 22 points in the final quarter as Brook Dennison netted 10 of her team-high 15 points. Marissa Middleton added 10 and Addison Kemery 9 points and 7 rebounds.
“I thought our post players played well and we had some balance inside and out,” Taylor-Sheldon said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been 8-1 going into (Christmas) break, so we’re happy with where we’re at right now.”
Wynford (8-1, 3-1) got 15 points and 10 rebounds from Frombaugh and Sheldon added 11 and 4 assists. Zoe Whitmeyer had 13 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
Bucyrus (3-6, 0-4) fought back from a 29-14 halftime deficit, thanks to that big fourth quarter and never-quit attitude.
“That’s the story of our season so far,” Bucyrus head coach Brian Seybert said. “We fight and we come back. We’ve got to find a way to take that next step … find a way to get into that win category.”
Wynford had a 20-point cushion, 44-24, going into the fourth quarter before the Lady Red caught fire and cut the lead to nine points.
Bucyrus hit 6 of its 8 threes in that quarter, led by Dennison’s pair as it outscored Wynford 20-10 during one stretch.
“We shot 5-of-20 in the first half, not a good start especially when they’re knocking them down. We’ve got to keep working hard. The second half, the effort was there again. We started making shots and made it interesting,” Seybert said.
Wynford’s long-range shooting was a problem for Bucyrus, hitting on 8-of-22 beyond the arc.
“A shooter like Caroline, we just can’t forget where she’s at. We had a plan of face guarding her to start the game, then we went 2-3 and lost her a few times. The other girls for Wynford stepped up and knocked down open shots when they were there.
“That’s the difference in the game. They’re knocking down shots early and we’re taking shots, but they weren’t going in,” Seybert said.
Dennison, in addition to her 15 points, added three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
“We need Brook to do that all four quarters, not just in spots. She’s a heckuva player and she has to be that person that everything goes through to start us out. We just need her to shoot a little more, earlier in the game,” Seybert said.
“Others know their roles and need to be ready to catch and shoot when she’s ready to distribute.”
Taylor-Sheldon said her team will make some defensive adjustments when they resume play at Mohawk Dec. 30.
“We also need to consider how we want to keep going on offense with that balance. With freshmen and sophomores, you’ll have some turnovers handling the ball. Nevertheless, they’ve been in situations where they need to take care of the ball,” she said.
Bucyrus hosts Upper Sandusky that same night.
“We get a full week starting Tuesday to get ready. Another game where we have to compete really well. Another great player on their team, Grace Walton. You’ve got to know where she’s at or she can put up 20 on us real fast,” Seybert said.
“It just comes down to defensive effort and willingness to want to get in there and box out and limit the other team to one shot. We’re going to work like heck next week.”
After the game Mark “Buzz” Kocher was recognized for his 500th coaching win at the junior high and junior varsity levels. He has coached at Wynford for 41 years.
Box scores
Girls
Bucyrus 2 12 10 22 — 46
Wynford 13 16 15 11 — 55
Bucyrus (2-6, 0-4 N10): Shots 16-41; 3-pt. shots 8-18 (Brook Dennison 3, Marissa Middleton 2, Kendra Blizzard, Malina Rowland, Addison Kemery); Free throws 6-8; Rebounds 23 (Addison Kemery 7); Turnovers 18. Scoring: Addison Ricker 2 0 4, Kendra Blizzard 2 0 5, Brook Dennison 5 2 15, Addison Kemery 2 2 9, Marissa Middleton 4 0 10, Malina Rowland 1 0 3.
Wynford (8-1, 3-1 N10): Shots 20-46; 3-pt. shots 8-22 (Caroline Sheldon 3, Zoe Whitmeyer 3, Kenna Caldwell, Maradath Engler); Free throws 7-17; Rebounds 33 (Brook Frombaugh 10, Maradath Engler 9); Turnovers 19. Scoring: Caroline Sheldon 4 0 11, Bri Westrick 0 1 1, Zoe Whitmeyer 4 2 13, Maradath Engler 2 0 5, Brook Frombaugh 6 3 15, Kenna Caldwell 2 0 5, Maggie Ridge 2 1 5.