Girls basketball ends season after second-round tournament loss

The girls basketball team’s season comes to an end after a tournament loss against Waynesville. However, this team’s successful season allows many athletes to receive awards toward the end of the season. 

Prior to tournament play, Addison Case, Kate Copp and Michaela Firks were all selected to be a part of the ‘Dayton All-Area Team’ by PrepGirlsHoops.

The girls competed in their first-round tournament game against Northwestern, winning 59-44. By halftime, the Bulldogs led 35-17, but Northwestern found rhythm in the third period. Case led the team as she scored 16 points, five steals, and two assists. Other key players include Copp, scoring 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Layla Fulton adds 11 points, six rebounds, and four steals. 

Firks adds a dynamic stat line as she scored nine points, six rebounds, six steals, and five assists. Stella Blackburn adds eight points, and Sophie Layman adds three. 

Following their first game, this team makes history. All five starters received All-Conference honors. Firks was named Three Rivers Conference Most Valuable Player, Case received First-Team All TRC, Copp received Second-Team All TRC, Layman and Fulton received Honorable Mention All TRC. 

But it doesn’t stop there. Firks and Case were also named District 9 Coaches Team. Case was also named Buffalo Wild Wings Athlete of the Month. Beside her recent awards, she is fifth in the TRC for scoring and first for three-pointers made with 52. 

However, on Feb. 24 in the second round of tournament play, Waynesville surged past Milton, winning over the ‘dogs 71-55. 

The girls held strong the entire first period, trailing by just three points. But the Spartans came back in the middle periods. Firks scored 17 points, added six rebounds, five assists, and six steals. Senior Copp, who played her last game, scored 10 points, two assists, and a rebound. Case also scored 10 points. Other contributors in this final game were Layman with eight points, Fulton with six points and seven rebounds, and Blackburn with four points.

The team ended their season with a record of 17-7, falling short of tying the school record of 18 wins. Congratulations to this team on a great season!