Uniontown, OH- Following a Smithville Smithies 48-36 victory over the Columbia Raiders, it was the Canton Central Catholic Crusaders squaring off with the Rootstown Rovers to earn the right to advance to the Regional Final Saturday evening to face the Smithies.
The first half was a tight battle, with the Rovers holding a 3-point advantage after 1 (14-11) and 4-point lead at the break (29-25). Sandwiched in that action was a quick 6-0 run by the Rovers to open the 2nd quarter, but the Crusaders fought back to keep it interesting as the teams made their way to the locker rooms.
The Rovers took the break as an opportunity to kick it into another gear out of the gates in the 3rd, as they opened the frame with a 12-0 run, building the lead to 41-25, in the quarters first 3:31. The rest of the quarter followed suit of the first half, with each team scoring 11 in the final 4:29.
That run to start the 2nd half was just too much for the Crusaders to overcome, despite a valiant effort by Sarah Belden, who scored 19 of her team leading 23 points in the second half. Also ending the evening in double digits for Coach Vandervaart's Crusaders was Lily Belden and Grace Finefrock, who both netted 10.
For Coach Leonard, it was Ursuline commit Nadia Lough leading the charge with 23. She was joined in double figures by fellow senior Kelsey Bittecuffer who added 15. Senior Addy Germann battled foul trouble to end the night with 8, while Junior Cloe Bengston added 8 off the bench and Sophomore Sophi Smith netted two triples to add 6 from the bench.
With the victory, the Rovers move to the precipice of a trip to the State Final 4 in Dayton. The Smithville Smithies stand in their way. Kevin Sledz will have coverage from Lake High School when those two battle it out for a trip to Dayton Saturday evening at 7:00.
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