Lady Tigers make key plays to turn back Lady Pirates, tie atop SOC-3

WHEELERSBURG — The unpredictability of the Southern Ohio Conference continues to rear its head.

After suffering a string of tough losses last week — including one to Wheelersburg just 7 days ago at home — the Waverly Lady Tigers returned the favor with a 44-41 win over the Lady Pirates on Monday night.

The win was a relief to Waverly coach John Bonifield, as his Lady Tigers suffered through 3-straight tough losses going into this game.

"It feels great in two aspects. It's always tough to beat Wheelersburg and Dusty, they're just well coached. And to do it on the road, just validated and verified what we've been talking about all week, and really all season. Just start believing in yourself. We put ourselves to win a ballgame in the fourth quarter and now that puts us back and tied with Wheelersburg for first place."

Waverly was led in scoring by Calli Knight with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Paige O'Bryant finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.

"I thought we stepped up as a group. We had Abby get in foul trouble in the first half, so we had to go to our bench and I told them that was a roster win," said Bonifield. "When we called their number they responded. And that's what you have to do to win games."

The Lady Pirates appeared as if they would rally back as they did just a week ago.

Lainey Skeens would sink a free throw and Peyton May would grab a rebound and lay it back in to cut Waverly's lead down to 39-37 with 5:41 remaining in the game.

However, the Lady Tigers would answer on their ensuing possession when Taryn Gillott connected on a 3-pointer in front of her bench to push the lead back out to five.

But again, Wheelersburg kept fighting back as Skeens sank 3 more from the foul line and Makenzie Mullens made another to pull the Lady Pirates to 43-41 with 43 seconds showing on the clock.

Skeens followed up on the defensive end by getting a steal to give the Lady Pirates the ball back, but the offensive possession came up empty and Waverly was able to come up with a critical defensive stop.

Sadie Royster converted a foul shot to give Waverly a 3-point lead.

Wheelersburg was able to get a turnover in front of Waverly's bench and have one final chance to tie the game with 3.5 seconds.

However, the desperation heave at the buzzer was off and the Lady Tigers survived the comeback attempt for the win.

"It's not an effort thing with our kids, we didn't make many shots and turned it over too much. But give (Waverly) credit," said coach Dusty Spradlin. "They hit some big shots, like the two 3-pointers in the second half that were in key situations. So give them a lot of credit."

During the third period, Knight came up big for the Lady Tigers with a couple key scores to stop Wheelersburg from cutting into their lead any further.

Wheelersburg drew even closer when Myles Bailey hit a triple from downtown to cut Waverly's lead to just 36-34 with 2:28 remaining in the quarter.

However, Knight came up with a steal along the baseline and went coast-to-coast for a layup and drew a foul on the play. Knight sank her free throw to complete the 3-point play and give Waverly a 39-34 going into the final quarter and set up the finish.

The Lady Pirates were led on the stat sheet by Lainey Skeens with 12 points, 5 boards and a pair of steals. Peyton May finished the night with 10 points and a game-high 9 rebounds.

The parity in the league has been proven all season long, with the Lady Pirates and Lady Tigers so far being the only teams left with just a pair of losses in the league now with just 3 conference games remaining.

For now, Wheelersburg (10-6, 5-2) and Waverly 12-5, 5-2) are tied atop the conference and then there is a 3-way tie for third between Valley, South Webster and Portsmouth West.

The Lady Pirates have a home date with Minford, then go on the road against West and South Webster. Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers will have to go on the road to close out SOC play with games at Valley, Minford and West.

Waverly 10 14 15 5 = 44

Wheelersburg 10 12 12 8 = 41

WAVERLY (12-5, 5-2): Taryn Gillott 0 2 0-0 6, Sadie Royster 2 1 5-6, Calli Knight 2 2 2-5 12, Leah Walters 0 0 0-0 0, Abby Schrader 0 0 0-0 0, Paige O'Bryant 5 0 0-0 10, Whitley Brown 0 1 1-2 4, Keelee Rapp 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 6 8-13 44. Rebounds: O-3. D-21 = 24 (Royster 6, O'Bryant 5, Knight 4). Assists: 3 (O'Bryant 2, Gillott). Steals: 12 (Gillott 2, Knight 2, Brown 2). Blocks: 6 (O'Bryant 5, Royster). Turnovers: 20. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

WHEELERSBURG (10-6, 5-2): Callie DeHart 2 0 1-4 5, Ava Artrip 1 1 0-2 5, Myles Bailey 0 1 0-0 3, Lainey Skeens 1 2 4-6 12, Makenzie Mullens 0 0 1-2 1, Jaylinn Prather 1 1 0-0 5, Peyton May 5 0 0-0 10. Totals: 10 5 6-14 41. Rebounds: O-14 D-19 = 33 (May 9, Artrip 5, Skeen 5, Prather 5). Assists: 5 (Prather 2). Steals: 6 (Skeens 2). Blocks: 1 (May). Turnovers: 24. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Bailey (4th, 2:42).