Waterford heading back to Dayton

[SEOsportchamp23]

Waterford returns to Dayton for the 8th time in 11 years.
This game was not what I expected.
Mogadore came out in a zone. Which Waterford was able to score and play against in the beginning.
Pottmeyer picked up two early fouls which put her on the bench. This hurt Waterford as they were not able to get into their rhythm offensively.
Mogadore played scrappy and it was physical. They could shoot from the perimeter but didn’t get too many shots off the first half. Waterford went into the half up by 14.
The second half started about the same as the first. Malec was hitting some nice threes and they were able to get the ball inside but shots were not falling. Smithberger played excellent inside grabbing a LOT of rebounds for second chance opportunities offensively and defensive rebounds that pushed them up the floor.
Not one to say reffing was a factor but I have never seen so many “jump balls” in a HS state game like I did tonight.
Mogadore was scrappy all around and was throwing shots well over the length of Waterford.
Waterford played without Pottmeyer or Sury for quite a while in the second half which again hurt them again because they just couldn’t get into that rhythm. They utilized ponchak and Hurley off the bench but they needed to get that Waterford style game running and they couldn’t.
ponchak came in and played great defense.
Pottmeyer picked up her 4th foul but played excellent defense for the remainder of the game. Her growth this year on the court is remarkable. For a freshman- she is one of the best freshman I’ve seen as an all around player this season.

Wagner and Smithberger took over the leadership roles on the court.( Sury was on the bench after a collision on the court). They communicated with each other and their teammates. Numerous times they were talking to each other and their teammates to keep everyone in check. The end of the game got pretty physical with fouls and they both were talking to their teammates before they went to the line to shoot. Getting their teammates emotions in check and trying to keep the game in their favor.

I have a feeling Fort Loramie will be the matchup for Waterford. And having a week to prepare will be good for them. They need to clean up some things but looking forward to the rematch.


Congratulations Waterford

[Stan Smith]

Loramie won by 12 over Ottovlle

[mattash]

awesome

[dboy]

I was able to make the trip for this game and it looked to me like a grind it out game for Waterford. I think they were quite a bit better than Mogadore but played a little complacent. They didn't move the ball as well or cut as hard as they had been in previous games and, to be honest, I didn't think their defense was up to the standard they had established in prior games. I think the nerves showed for the Freshman and the two seniors seemed to be upset with real concern when their classmate when down. Whether they were over confident or looking ahead can be debated but they just were a bit slow and not as "locked in" as they have been. But it brings me back to the thing that sticks out about Waterford in that they just win. Maybe it is a clinic sometimes and maybe it is a rock fight but they figure it out and get it done.

Overall it was a weird game. I think the officials tried to keep the fouls to a minimum for the most part so grabbing and hands on the arms were let go quite a bit and jump balls were called when fouls were committed. I have to agree that that is the most jump balls i have seen called in a game in a very long time. On the flip side, you had a couple of kids that got in foul trouble because of weak calls, a couple because a kid simply tripped and fell down on their own. I think the fault lies with how they do these officiating assignments. You have one who is used to a tight crew and another that is used to calling it a little looser so depending on where they are on their rotations, it could be called loose in the paint on one end and tight on the other.

I will say I absolutely hate the model the state has put together. Dover was a nice venue but I think the Mogadore kids were robbed of the true experience of playing in a state semi-final game.

Regardless, the Wildcats move on to an unbelievable 6th state championship appearance in this 11 year run. Congrats to the team and good luck.