No. 6 Mount Gilead (13-11, 6-6) is playing some of its best basketball of the season at just the right time, as the Indians were able to knock off No. 4 Wellington School (19-5, 10-3) to to win the Sectional title in the Division IV Central 1 tournament.
“The key to this win was our intensity on the defensive end,” said Assistant Coach Danielle Bault. “The girls were engaged on the defensive end from start to finish. They were communicating, getting in the right rotations and being aggressive. We were able to speed them up on offense and that was what we wanted to do. We were extremely proud of our girls for their defensive effort. The girls took the game plan and scouting report and implemented it seamlessly.”
The Indians went up 9-4 to start the game led by a seven point effort for Faith White, but Wellington School controlled the second frame to take a 19-15 lead at halftime. With the season on the line, the Indians came out with a vengeance in the second half playing stellar defense. In the third quarter, Mount Gilead dominated 14-4 to take a 29-23 lead. They had four threes in the quarter, by White, Dani Pohlkotte, Greer Simpson and Kendall Neal. The Indians finished out the game with a 7-3 advantage to secure the win and advance in the playoffs.
The win puts them back in the district semifinals of the tournament for back-to-back years, as the Indians look to make a push deeper into the state tournament.
“This Sectional title is a huge deal for us this year,” said Assistant Coach Danielle Bault. “This team has been through a lot this season. We dealt with a tragic loss a few games into the season, with the passing of Joe Long. Joe is the father of Liv Long and he was a huge part of our community and basketball family. His loss is something we are still coping with.”
The team then then lost their starting point guard, Ava Baker, a game later. They had to pull players up from JV sooner than they would have liked, Bault said. The players needed to grow and adapt quickly, but they have grown as a team and have now won their last three games.
“This win is a testament to the fight and work they have all put in all year long,” Bault said.
Leading the charge on both ends of the court was White, who had a game high 17 points to go with seven boards and four steals. Pohlkotte stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, six rebounds, three steals and three assists. Simpson put up six points and five boards.
Long had three boards to go with a first quarter bucket for two points. Neal sank a three in the third quarter and was a big part of the second half resurgence. She also had two boards and four steals. Aubrey Thomas did not score in the game, but she dominated the glass with 11 rebounds and tallied a pair of steals.
“Faith White came out and had an outstanding game,” Bault said. “She led us on both ends of the floor. Dani Pohlkotte and Kendall Neal did a great job of stepping up and handling their press. Their press has caused teams problems all year and they handled it well. Greer Simpson and Aubrey Thomas had a great game. They closed down the paint and rebounded the ball well. Liv Long and Cass Irwin provided instant energy off the bench every time they came on the floor. It was a great team effort.”
Bault said the team’s focus is always on defense, and it showed in this game. Wellington School was averaging about 45 points per game, and outscoring opponents 1,033-612. Allowing 19 points less than their average was a huge accomplishment for the Indian defense.
Moving forward, Bault said the team needs to make sure they are “engaged, understand our assignments, and communicate from start to finish.”
“Offense is going to come but defense is how we are going to keep winning games,” Bault said. “We will get in the gym, prepare and come out and give it what we've got. We want to make sure we are the hardest working team on the floor no matter what the outcome.”
The Indians have their work set out for them in the district semifinals, as they take on No. 1 Newark Catholic who have yet to lose a game at 22-0. Senior Kylie Gibson is a player to watch, as she averages 15.4 points, 4.9 boards, 4.6 steals and 2.2 assists on the year. Last game they came out strong with a 31-0 first quarter, and cruised to a 64-19 win over Delaware Christian to win their Sectional title.
The game takes place on Feb. 27 at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury with a 7 p.m. tip off.
