Smithville 47,
Loudonville 34
Loudonville made about half the number of field goals as Smithville on Saturday, and the Redskins lost their first game of the season, 47-34.
The Smithies (1-0) made 19 field goals in all, including five from behind the arc. Loudonville (0-1) hit 10 field goals, but only one from long range. The Redbirds made a good showing at the foul line, however, knocking down 13-of-15 shots for an 87 percent clip. Loudonville scored in double digits in a quarter only once in the game, and Smithville hit double figures in all four periods.
The Smithies made five field goals, including a pair of threes, in the first quarter, while the Redbirds went 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. Loudonville had only two field goals in the period, however, to trail 12-9. The Redbirds had just two more field goals in the second quarter and six points overall to Smithville’s 11 points, and the Smithies led 23-15 at halftime.
Becky Orchard’s five points led a mini comeback for Loudonville in the third quarter, as the Redbirds knocked one point off Smithville’s lead entering the fourth quarter, 33-26. But Loudonville’s first-half shooting woes came back in the fourth quarter, as the Smithies made six field goals to the Redbirds’ two to increase the final scoring margin to 13 points.
Courtney Ryan was a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line and finished with 10 points for Loudonville, and Megan Scarberry added eight points and went 4-of-4 at the stripe. Alexis Van Horn scored six points off the bench, and Orchard finished with five points. Jenna Pew led Smithville with 13 points, and McKenzi Mocilnikar added 11 points.
Loudonville will play its first Mid-Buckeye Conference game at East Knox on Thursday.
Fisher Catholic 30,
Northridge 28
Northridge and Fisher Catholic matched each other shot-for-shot in the first half of their nonconference game on Saturday, but the Irish built a five-point lead in the third quarter and held on for a 30-28 victory.
The host Vikings (0-1) and Fisher Catholic each scored eight points in the first quarter, and both teams recorded five points in the second quarter to go into the break tied at 13.
The Irish (2-0) kept its pressure on Northridge though the third quarter, and held the Vikings to five points again. On offense, meanwhile, Fisher Catholic put up 10 points to grab a 23-18 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Northridge picked up the scoring pace in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points, but the Irish kept up the lead though the fourth quarter, winning by two.
Emily Pribonic paced the Vikings with eight points, and Kayleigh Williams added six points.
Northridge will begin Mid-Buckeye Conference action on Thursday at Danville.
Heath 59,
Johnstown 57
Chelsea Sager’s potential game-tying shot was rejected a Heath player on Saturday afternoon, and host Johnstown lost its season opener, 59-57.
The Johnnies (0-1) built a 10-point lead late in the second quarter, 33-23, but the Bulldogs (1-0) stepped up on defense and tied the game early in the fourth quarter. With under a minute to play Heath led 58-55, but Sager scored on Johnstown’s next possession to put her team within one, 58-57. After the Bulldogs made one of two free throws to go up 59-57, Sager, who scored 17 points in the game, took the ill-fated shot which would have tied the game.
Chelsea Cannon had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Johnnies, and Sager snared six boards.
Johnstown continues home play on Thursday, taking on Utica to start Mid-Buckeye Conference action.
