DAYTON, Ohio — For nearly the entire Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III girls’ basketball state semifinal, Chippewa and Margaretta were evenly matched. However, a fast start for the Chipps (25-4) was the difference, in a 60-50 win.

What You Need To Know

  • Chippewa (Doylestown) beat Margaretta 60-50 to reach the OHSAA DivisIon III girls' basketball state championship game on Saturday against Columbus Africentric

  • The Chipps started the game with runs of 10-0 and 16-2

  • Veteran head coach Denny Schrock will go for his 724th career win, and first state title, in his final game

The first quarter was too much to overcome for the Polar Bears, falling behind 10-0, and 16-2. The closest Margaretta (22-7) would get was within four points in the fourth quarter (52-48).

Both teams were dangerous behind the arc, with each connecting on eight three-pointers. However, another big difference in the game was field goal shooting. Chippewa connected on 47% of its shots (20-43), while the Polar Bears only converted 19 of 60 (for 32%).

Balanced scoring was another common denominator. For the Chipps, Bel Rodriguez had a game-high 16, Abby Henegar had 15 and Jaclyn Jundzilo added 13. Margaretta’s Kylie Leibacher led the Bears with 14, Lilly Edwards had 13 and Jaelle Keller 12.

Denny Schrock enjoyed his 723rd career win, but a 724th would be special, as it would be his (and the school’s) first-ever state championship. Adding to the sentimentality, Schrock has also announced that this will be his final game on the bench.

Chippewa will meet up with Africentric in the OHSAA Division III championship game Saturday at 5:15 p.m., live on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App. OHSAA Championship Gameday gets underway at 5 p.m.