First Posted: 2/25/2015
WAPAKONETA — Coldwater’s state cross country champion Sarah Kanney did what she does best.
She continually flew up and down the court and flipped in fast-break layups nearly at will.
Kanney scored 20 points to lead Coldwater to a 73-20 victory over Bluffton in the opening game of the Division III girls basketball sectional tournament Wednesday at Wapakoneta.
Coldwater (12-10) advances to the sectional finals to face No. 4 seed Columbus Grove at 8 p.m. Saturday at Wapakoneta. Bluffton ends its season 9-12.
“We’re young and our point guard was sick tonight, but it wasn’t going to matter tonight,” Bluffton coach Eric Garmatter said. “They had eight seniors. They were the veteran team and we played like the young team that we are.”
Coldwater had the size and athletic advantage and used it from the opening tip. The Cavaliers came out with a variety of presses and continually gobbled up turnovers.
Coldwater went out to an early 12-1 lead and led 16-7 after the first quarter.
In that opening quarter, Coldwater forced 10 Bluffton turnovers. Coldwater ended up forcing 39 Bluffton turnovers for the game.
“We have to grow up to handle that pressure,” Garmatter said. “Plus, they rotated 10 girls in and out and I have to rely on some of my girls to play 32 minutes, and with that kind of pressure, it was too much for them.”
Coldwater led 31-12 at the half based on its run-and-press attack.
Then, just in case Bluffton had any idea of a comeback, Coldwater ran off a 16-0 run to start the third quarter. That put the Cavaliers ahead 47-12 and it was never in doubt after that.
Brooke Welsch added 16 points for the Cavaliers Lauren Leugers had nine points. Denise Schwieterman, a 6-foot-2 junior, had four points, six rebounds and five blocks.
Bluffton was led by sophomore Andie Schmutz, who had seven points and four rebounds. Sophomore Abbie Parkins had four points and six rebounds.
Coldwater won the boards, 32-25. Coldwater shot 52 percent from the field, while Bluffton shot 20 percent.
For the Pirates, they have only one senior and one junior on the varsity roster. There are five sophomores and one junior.
“I’m happy with the younger kids,” Garmatter said. “And we have a nice eighth-grade class that’s coming up and they just won the NWC (Northwest Conference).”
Elmwood 55, Parkway 44
Elmwood’s 6-foot-1 Samantha Ervin had 19 points and nine rebounds to lead the Royals to a victory over Parkway.
Ashley Veryser added 14 points for Elmwood.
Kayle Heckler paced Parkway with 17 points and three 3-point goals. Lydia Heindel had 10 points and nine rebounds.
Elmwood (11-12) advances to meet Ottawa-Glandorf in the sectional finals at 6:15 p.m. Saturday at Wapakoneta. Parkway ends its year 8-15.
Elmwood won the boards, 39-33.
