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Waterford senior class picks up historic victory

Wildcats defeat Fort?Frye by 30 points

Photo by Tom Perry Waterford’s Megan Ball presses Fort Frye’s Kelsey Adkins during the Wildcats’ 48-18 road win over the Cadets Wednesday night.

BEVERLY — It was almost too perfect, that even Waterford senior Megan Ball couldn’t believe the timing.

Sitting at 99 career victories, the Wildcats’ seniors had a shot at No. 100 against long-time rival Fort Frye Wednesday night.

Waterford didn’t disappoint the large contingent of green-clad Wildcat fans as it dispatched the Cadets 48-18 in a non-conference game.

“It’s nice to get our 100th win, because that is not an easy accomplishment to reach in four years,” Ball said. “It was even more special that we got to do it against Fort Frye. What are the odds that it would line up for us like that?”

Waterford, which has reached the Division IV Ohio State Tournament three consecutive years, begins another run today as the Wildcats (20-1) face Symmes Valley at 6:15 p.m. at Meigs High School.

“I think the kids seem to refresh at this point of the season and get ready to play in the postseason,” said Waterford coach Jerry Close.

Ball agrees that the Wildcats are ready for the postseason.

“Experience doesn’t take the pressure off, but we do know what we have to do to get there again,” she said.

That experience was on display against a Fort Frye squad that has just one senior.

Waterford held the Cadets (15-6) scoreless in the first quarter and led 29-7 at halftime. Ball scored 10 of her game-high 19 points in the first half, while fellow senior Alli Kern added seven of her 11 points.

“It’s those two players,” said Fort Frye coach Dan Liedtke. “They are both extremely good players and they play so well together. Having two players with that kind of talent at a small school is so rare. If it was just one, we might have things we could do. But both are so good that the options are limited.”

Waterford’s depth and overall talent made it difficult for the Cadets to get into a rhythm on offense. Fort Frye made just 3 of 10 shots in the first half.

“Waterford plays extremely hard on defense that it makes it hard to run your offense,” Liedtke said. “However, I believe playing against tough competition can only make you better.”

Ironically, Close felt the Wildcats could have played better on defense, despite creating 22 Fort Frye turnovers.

“I thought we had some lapses rotation wise, but I have a good group,” he said. “They play hard, and as I’ve watched them this year they have gotten better with each game.”

Close was more impressed, though, with how they had balance on offense.

“That’s been the key thing for us the last three games,” he said. “When you get four or six points off the bench is huge. When we start getting double teams and you know you have someone who can hit some baskets is important at this time of the year.”

Starter Rachael Adams had eight points, while Kenzie Dietz hit a 3-pointer.

Five Fort Frye players scored, but freshman Karlee Ross led the way with five points, while Liv Schneider and Morgan Borich each had four points.

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