Wauseon ends Redskins’ season
WAUSEON — On Friday, there could be only one “W.”
Wapakoneta and Wauseon met in a Division II sectional final. The teams were closely matched in the first half, but the Indians pulled away in the third and went on to a 44-24 victory.
Wapakoneta ends its season with a record of 13-10.
Wauseon took the initial lead, but the Redskins got in range and stayed there through the rest of the first half.
But, as has happened on a few other occasions, turnovers and a dry spell on offense allowed Wauseon to boost its lead in the third up to 14 points, and the ‘Skins were unable to rally.
“The third quarter has been our kryptonite a little bit this season,” said Wapakoneta coach Trey Elchert, who concluded his first season at the helm.
He cited the high number of turnovers and poor shooting from 3-point range as factors in the loss.
“(Wauseon) did what they needed. Their kids all know their strengths.”
Looking back at the overall season, Elchert said, “I could not be more proud of these kids. Their effort and excitement have been tremendous.” He added that the team was emotional after the defeat, but that reflected their commitment. “These kids have been fully invested,” he said.
Senior Noah Ambos had seven points for the Redskins, while Peyton Debell had five. Another senior, Garrett Siefring, had a three-pointer, while Mason Longsworth saw action in the final minutes.
The Indians offense was driven by senior forward Connar Penrod, who had 21 points on the night. Junior guard Jonasw Tester had nine.
Surrounded by the comforts of home, Wauseon scored the game’s first seven points. Kolton Degroff and Penrod had baskets, then Penrod made a free throw. Tester then made a deflection and converted it for the score.
With 4:35 to go, Ambos put the Redskins on the board, swishing a three-pointer from the corner. Penrod answered in kind for Wauseon.
Ambos made two
foul shots, then Wauseon’s Tyson
Britsch got one.
The Redskins closed out the first-period scoring with Siefring sending the ball into Grant Bauer, who then found an open Debell for the score. That put the margin at 11-7 with Wauseon in front.
Tester opened the second frame with a three-pointer, but Garrett Siefring hit one for the ‘Skins. Ambos then twisted his way through the defense for a layup to cut the gap to two.
Penrod would hit a free throw near the midway point. The score stayed there for a while. Kaden Siefring made a reverse layup from almost directly underneath the hoop with 2:30 to play, cutting it to one, 15-14.
Penrod connected from behind the arc to make it a four-point lead at intermission.
Rogers started things off for Wapakoneta, but Penrod got a tip-in and Britsch hit a six-foot jumper.
Kaden Siefring scored for Wapakoneta, but it would prove to be their last points scored in the frame.
Isaac Wilson got one of two free throws then a basket. Penrod continued to step up, scoring his team’s next seven points, and Wauseon was in control, 32-18.
The early part of the fourth saw exchanges in scoring, with Goulet hitting a shot and Debell making a three-pointer.
Leading 37-23, Wauseon spent most of the rest of the night at the free throw line as the fouls piled up for the Redskins.
Seniors Ambos and Siefring were taken out with just over two minutes to play and got a good hand from the Redskins fans.
The reserves finished things up with the final margin landing at 20.
Wauseon advances to the district semifinal on Wednesday. They will face St. Marys, which defeated Napoleon 71-47. The game will be held at Spencerville and start at about 7:30 p.m.
It will follow the contest between Shawnee and the winner of Defiance and Van Wert (who play tonight at 6 p.m.)
Game Notes
Both coaches were very engaged with the referees.
Wapakoneta will have five juniors and five sophomores returning for next season.