DAYTON, Ohio — Kendall Sury scored a game-high 17 points as Waterford toppled Loudonville 41-32 in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV girls’ basketball state semifinal at the University of Dayton Arena on Thursday.
The Wildcats (24-3) advance to the state title game for the fifth time in school history.
“I'm just really, really proud of these kids for getting themselves back here where they wanted to be and, and the job they've done finishing it,” Waterford Head Coach Jerry Close said. “They're just such a close team. They play so well together. They care about each other, and it's just nice to let them enjoy this weekend.”
Sury set the tone in the first half, scoring 15 points as Waterford claimed a 23-11 halftime lead.
“Coming out in the game I knew what I had to do,” Sury said. “I knew I had to get down the court fast because that's my role. So I really feel like I accomplished that well, and it really helped our team out in the end.”
Waterford led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter. Avery Wagner laid in a score and Elsie Malec drained a 3-pointer to key a 6-0 run over the first 4:25 of the second half. Loudonville (26-3) staged a strong fourth quarter comeback bid. The Redbirds outscored the Wildcats 17-11 and narrowed the gap down to as little as seven points with 1:51 remaining.
Jena Guilliams made back-to-back 3-pointers to make it a 39-32 game, but the Redbirds fell cold 0-of-4 to end the contest.
“There was a lid on the hoop for us the first three quarters, and for a team that's scored as much as we have this year, I know the girls were frustrated. I was frustrated,” Loudonville head coach Tyler Bates said. “That was disappointing, but I told them in the locker room I was so proud. The state got to see what Redbird basketball looks like in the fourth quarter. I just wish we had another game to go show them again.”
Wagner followed behind Sury with 12 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field. She also added 15 rebounds to notch a double-double. Corri Vermilya led Loudonville with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Sophia Spangler added 11 points.
Waterford will go on to play the winner of Convoy Crestview-Fort Loramie at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday.