Jan 5, 2025
Waterford’s Avery Smithberger converts the layup during the Wildcats’57-32 win over Newark Catholic, Saturday in Waterford. (Photo by Mike Morrison)
WATERFORD – At 6-foot-4, Waterford senior Avery Wagner is usually thought of for her prowess under the basket, her rebounding, her scoring and her ability to block shots.
Saturday afternoon at the Cooper Annex, Wagner showed that she is also a talented passer as she dished out a game-high six assists to help lead the Wildcats to a 57-32 win over the Newark Catholic Green Wave.
Working from the high post Wagner was seemingly able to find open teammates all game long as the Wildcats pulled away late to notch their 11th win of the season against just one loss.
“She (Wagner) does a really good job of passing the ball and with her getting so much attention sometimes it opens it up for Avery (Smithberger) and the other girls,” said Wildcat head coach Jerry Close. “Sometimes getting her into the high post area and letting her see what she has got works out well.”
Waterford opened the game with a full court press against a young Green Wave squad and forced the visitors into nine first quarter miscues as the Wildcats took a 16-12 lead.
Waterford’s Brynnlee Pottemeyer (12) drives into the lane during the Wildcats’ 57-32 win over Newark Catholic, Saturday in Waterford. (Photo by Mike Morrison)
A steal and finish at the other end by Waterford freshman Brynnlee Pottmeyer gave them a six-point lead early in the second quarter.
Newark Catholic got a free throw by Fini Kaiser to cut the lead to five before the Wildcats responded with six straight points to take their first double-digit lead of the game.
Wagner got the run started by making a pair of free throws and after she assisted a Smithberger basket she yanked down a rebound and put it back up and in to give the Wildcats a 26-15 lad.
The Green Wave finished the half off with a two-pointer by Natalie Harrington to head to the locker room trailing by nine.
Waterford forced a total of 16 Catholic turnovers in the opening half which helped them overcome rather sluggish start offensively.
“We were in a hurry shooting early and weren’t trying to get the ball inside enough,” said Close, whose team connected on just 11-of-27 shot attempts in the first half including 3-of-15 from behind the arc. “We got that fixed at halftime and they came back out and got settled in.”
The Lady ‘Cats shot much better in the second half as they made 10-of-19 shots.
The Wildcats came out clicking on all cylinders in the third quarter as they scored the first six points thanks to two more freebies by Wagner and four consecutive points by Smithberger.
Sophie Chard Peloquin snapped the run with a two-pointer for the Green Wave but the Wildcats scored the next eight to open up a 42-21 lead.
Wagner was a part of that run as well as she made two more free throws and assisted on buckets once again by Smithberger and Elsie Malec.
The Wildcats would only add to their lead the rest of the way as they rolled to the win to get them back on tack after suffering their first loss of the week on Thursday to Sheridan.
“They (Newark Catholic) are fairly young this year and we were hoping we could pressure them into some mistakes,” said Close, whose team forced 26 turnovers in the game. “We have played some good teams already and have more to come so we are looking forward to that challenge.”
Smithberger led a balanced Wildcat attack with 13 points while yanking down a game-high seven boards.
Wagner and fellow senior Kendall Sury chipped in with 12 points apiece while Malec added eight.
Ava Hurley knocked down a pair of triples for the white and green while Pottmeyer added six points, five rebounds and three steals.
Newark Catholic was led by Kaiser with 10 points and Chard Peloquin with eight.
The Green Wave slipped to 5-5 with the loss while the Wildcats opened the second half of the season up in style to improve to 11-1 on the season.
Close feels like his team has some work to do but for the most part is on track to make a nice tournament run beginning in February.
“We are happy with where we are at but there is definitely room for improvement,” said Close, whose team will host Federal Hocking on Thursday. “At this point of the season you are hoping that you are getting a good feel for your team and what is working and what might need to be changed.”
MORGANTOWN — The eventual offensive spark came about midway through the first half, but that wasn’t exactly the …
WILLIAMSTOWN — Cruz Isaly led the way for a high-powered Williamstown offense in Friday night’s 83-70 win over …
Copyright © News and Sentinel | https://www.newsandsentinel.com | 519 Juliana St., Parkersburg, WV 26101 | 304-485-1891
