Columbus Grove’s Brynn Fortman pressures Shawnee’s Gracie Freiberger during Friday night’s game at Columbus Grove.
Don Speck | The Lima News
COLUMBUS GROVE — Columbus Grove took advantage of Shawnee’s first half jitters to open a lead but in the second half had to hold off a surging Indians’ squad to record a 54-47 victory in the season opener for both teams Friday night.
Shawnee, who started two sophomores, a freshman, a junior and a senior, struggled early to find its footing and made 10 turnovers to allow Columbus Grove build up a 17-8 lead at halftime. But after the slow start, Shawnee began to chip away at the lead and by halftime were down 28-18.
Shawnee made a few defensive adjustments to continue to cut away at Grove’s lead and got to within five points, 34-29 with 2:30 left in the third quarter. However, Grove, which never trailed in this game, did enough in the final eight minutes to hold off the Indians and secure the win.
“It looked like a first game on both sides,” Columbus Grove head coach Brian Schroeder said. “I thought both teams played hard. Give credit to Shawnee. We got up somewhat early on them and their girls never quit. They made some plays and got some stops and really responded well when we got up double digits.
“This was a hard-fought win, not a real clean game. Obviously we have some areas we need to improve on like finishing defensive possessions and offensively we have to take care of the ball so we have some stuff to work things week.”
Schroeder added that he was happy with the Bulldogs’ defense early in the game.
“We did a good job of pressuring the ball and getting in the gaps and creating some offense with our defense and as the game went on I think we some tired legs and our pressure wasn’t quite the same. Our guarding one on one wasn’t as good and our positioning wasn’t as good.”
Shawnee head coach Rachel Rumbaugh said this team never quit.
“We had a lot of freshmen out there who have never been on the varsity court,” Rumbaugh said. “We made some changes in the second half but maybe don’t let No. 2 (Auchmuty) loose as much. I thought we did a good job of containing her in the second but we have a lot of young kids and lack experience right now. I think they went out and held their own.”
Grove’s Lauren Auchmuty looked in midseason form as she scored 27 points, grabbed seven rebounds and made five steals. The standout sophomore, who had 15 points at halftime, was limited to two points in the third period but scored 10 of the Bulldogs’ 13 points in the final stanza.
Bulldog freshman Nicole Nesby put in a solid outing as she scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds. Abby Stechschulte and Jaylen Sautter hit to big 3-pointers in the third period that helped the Bulldogs maintain the advantage.
Shawnee’s Gracie Freiberger led the team with 15 points and she snared six caroms. Senior Avie Pearson had a double-double performance as she scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while also blocking five shots. Sophomore Sidney Burris, who had some big treys to keep the Indians close in the second half, ended up with 10 points.
“If there is one thing about these girls is they don’t quit,” Rumbaugh added. “They will keep coming out you and we are proud of the way they finished.”
Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0414.
