Fort Fry Bests Belpre in the regional semifinal, 52-35

Haley de Belpre, Middle, fight against a double team of Aubie Lang (24) and she Dowler (24) of Fort Frye during the regional semifinal of Division VI of Division VI of Ohio on Thursday. (Photo of Kerry Patrick)

Pickerington, Ohio – Emmie Duskey was not about to finish his career in high school basketball without advancing beyond sweet 16.

On Thursday night in Pickerington North, Fort Frye cleared the obstacle of the regional semifinal for the first time in the last four attempts, including a third attempt for the senior cadet, after defeating Belpre 52-35 in a battle of division VI among the Washington County schools.

“The last three times we arrived here, we failed to pass this point, so we overcome the hump this time and play in the regional final,” Fort Frye coach Dan Liedtke said.

Duskey demolished five triples and scored 24 points, since cadets 20-4 assured the right to know the preparation of Harvest (12-13) for an opening council of the 7 pm on Saturday at Pickerington North. At stake it is the right to play in the state tournament.

In the second game of the double head, Harvest Prep defeated Federal Hocking 71-56.

She Dowler (32) from Fort Frye hopes to move on to an open teammate during the regional semifinal of Division VI of Ohio on Thursday. (Photo of Kerry Patrick)

“I am so happy to have finally done it in my last year because I am not ready to do,” Duskey said.

In his first season with the program, Belpre coach Austin Cunningham led to Belpre’s female basketball only his second district title. No girl on the list has experienced a postseason victory until this year. The Golden Eagles finish the campaign in 17-8.

“This was a new recreation patio for us” Cunningham said. “We were making our girls some experience here and we hope it would fire us for the low season so we can make another career.

“It was a great season. We put Bellpre on the map a bit. “

A suffocating defense in the first half turned out to be the difference since Fort Frye Limited Belpre to Cuatro shots from the field while built a part-time advantage of 24-10.

Gracie Bills (22) of Belpre is defended by her Dowler of Fort Frye during the regional semifinal of Division VI of Ohio de Ohio on Thursday. (Photo of Kerry Patrick)

After part time, the offensive of the Golden Eagles fell in a rhythm, scoring 16 points in the third quarter. However, the stops at the end of Fort Frye were Premium. Duskey’s consecutive triples gave the cadets their greatest advantage with 42-21 in the last minute of the third period.

For the most part, the two teams exchanged cubes in the fourth period and Fort Frye maintained a 20-point cushion in 52-32 in the last three of the Duskey game.

After a cube of Gracie Bills and a free kick by Julia Way, Fort Frye essentially killed most of the remaining 2 and a half minutes on the clock.

“We couldn’t make our (annotations) run tonight,” Cunningham said. “Fort Fye attacked a little better than us.”

She Dowler also scored in double figures for Fort Frye. As one of the four second -year students in the initial alignment, Dowler played as an experienced veteran after making his presence feel at the beginning with a couple of triples in the first quarter as part of his 17 points.

“I think because we were so excited to play, nerves were not a problem.” Dowler said. “Second year students in the United States have definitely matured a lot throughout the season, especially with the help of our senior leader. Emmie is an incredible leader for us and has helped us reach our potential. “

The classmate Ava Huffman added nine points to go with five assists. Although Aubie Lang did not score, with 5 feet 4, she knocked down eight rebounds and gave seven inches as part of her defensive task in Belpre Senior Haley Lodayay.

As a team, Fort Frye surpassed Bellpre, 25-22.

“You have to understand, with our size, we work on that all the time: our girls do not know different.” Liedtke said. “Defensively, we did a good job with their good players.”

Lodayay, who will attend Mount Union next season, played his latest high school game scoring 15 points in the team. The second -year teammate, Gracie Bills, ended with 13 points despite taking two fouls in the first two minutes of the game.

Coaches: Fort Frye coach Dan Liedtke, and Belpre Austin Cunningham Talk coach before the regional semifinal of Division VI of Ohio on Thursday at Pickerington North. (Photo of Kerry Patrick)

“We were able to keep their two greats: we practiced a lot in that and we knew it would be a determining factor. Our whole team had to join and do this together “, Duskey said, considered the greatest statesman of the six girls who play in regular rotation. “They do my work easier because then all the pressure is on me. I know I have a backup. “

Bills did not pick up another personal offense for the rest of the night. She shared the team’s rebound honors with Senior Larissa McDaniel with five.

“Haley has been a great leader,” Cunningham said, who graduates two headlines. McDaniel plans to play for Garrett College.

“Both girls love basketball and have done a lot for us. They helped this program to get where we did “ Cunningham added. “It was a very up and down season. There have been many changes in Belpre in female basketball. We are a fairly demanding staff. We responsible for girls, which is also new to them. We are learning as a team as we go to the year. “

Contact Kerry Patrick at [email protected]