Minster falls to Fort Loramie in regional semifinal.
Fort Loramie rallies for win in regional semis
VANDALIA — Despite a 10-point lead in the first half, it wasn’t enough for Minster as Fort Loramie completed a 47-36 comeback win against the Wildcats in the Division IV girls basketball regional semifinal Thursday night at Butler High School.
Minster (24-2) led by one after the first quarter with senior Ivy Wolf scoring eight of the Wildcats’ nine points.
The second quarter started with a threepointer from the top of the key by Ella Mescher.
Two possessions later, following a Mescher block, Wolf gathered the ball and threw it up ahead to a racing Mescher who laid it up for the 14-8 lead.
Minster forced three turnovers in the first 1:55 of the period.
Wolf then hit a step back 3-pointer from the left wing and the Wildcats led 17-8.
Fort Loramie’s Colleen Brandewie ended the Redskins scoring drought with a 3-ball of her own from the left corner.
Minster then scored the next four and took a 21-11 lead, which would be their biggest of the night.
Fort Loramie (26-1) ended the quarter on a 7-0 run and only trailed by three at the half.
Jadyn Puthoff scored to open the second half, completing a 9-0 run for Fort Loramie, and the Redskins trailed by one point early on.
Minster put together a 6-0 run behind Mescher and Wolf and extended their lead to 2720.
Fort Loramie answered right back, going on a 7-0 run to tie the game and they eventually took the lead at 32-31 following a made basket by Ava Sholtis in the paint.
Minster’s Brynn Oldiges scored with under a minute left and the Wildcats led heading into the fourth quarter.
The biggest offensive explosion happened near the six minute mark, with nine points being scored in around 30 seconds.
Fort Loramie’s Puthoff hit a threepointer from the right wing and the Redskins took a 37-33 lead.
Minster got the ball, went down the floor, and Wolf answered with a 3-ball from the left wing to cut the lead back to one.
But, not to be outdone, Puthoff, hit another 3-pointer and pushed their lead back to four points.
From there, Fort Loramie’s pressure on the defensive end made it hard for Minster and eventually led 42-36 with under two minutes to go.
Minster began fouling to get back into it, but Fort Loramie hit their free throws and ended up securing their spot in the regional finals with a 47-36 win.
Minster coach Mike Wiss said he was disappointed, but was also “happy as hell” with what the seniors on his team have been able to accomplish in their four years.
“I love our kids to death and what this group that’s in that locker room has accomplished in their four years — over 100 wins, two state titles and we were taken off the bus for the third one,” said Wiss. “Now to make it back to regionals against a team that people project are going to win it. I think our staff, our kids, the fans that showed up tonight — Minster was engaged and we gave Loramie everything they could handle.”
In addition to a gamehigh 20 points, Ivy Wolf broke Minster’s all-time scoring record in the first quarter, passing Lauren Shenk.
“Ivy’s a special player and if you’ve ever watched her play, she’s somebody that you’ll remember,” said Wiss. “She’s got a lot of really good teammates that she’s played with and helped her get to that point, that’s what she would say.”