Key Highlights
- "I think the thing we need to talk about is how well our girls handled [the emotions of] being in a loud gym and traveling on the road with me [for the first time]."Maplewood came out in the first half looking to continue right where they left off last year after winning Region 2. The Tigers used their chemistry and basketball IQ to see each other on the court and put up 21 first-half points. Maggie Means put down nine points in the first half for Maplewood, leading the team with 13 total. On the opposite side, Meadville came into the season with a young roster, with a group of players who had never played the game before. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"We struggled a lot with team chemistry.
- People have been in and out with injuries," Meadville head coach Bailee Gregor said.
- "This year I have ten girls who have never played before, but they have already made so many improvements just because they want to be here."As the first half went on, defensively the Bulldogs' chemistry began to come together.
- In the second quarter, Meadville held the Tigers to only five points. Maplewood took a 21-6 lead into halftime, but in sports, no lead is ever big enough."As a coach, you learn that no lead is ever a good enough lead," Sheatz said.
- "You learn when and where to take the pressure off and to remind the girls that we're all in this together."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Bulldogs brought their defensive abilities into the second half.