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Crusaderettes, ’Jackets know what has to be done tonight

Photo by Jordan Holland Parkersburg Catholic’s Madeline Huffman scans the court while guarded by Gilmer County’s Trinity Bancroft during the Crusaderettes’ 71-37 LKC title game win over the Titans. Huffman and company look for more postseason success as they host Williamstown at 7 p.m. today for the Class A Region IV, Section 1 championship.

PARKERSBURG — Season sweeps usually indicate when a team is dominant over its competition. For the opposing team, one last game to get revenge is the best time for redemption.

With homecourt advantage in the regional co-final hanging in the balance, the Parkersburg Catholic Crusaderettes look to complete the sweep when they host the Williamstown Yellowjackets in the Class A, Region IV, Section 1 championship game at 7 p.m. today.

The loser of this game travels to take on the Class A state runner-up Huntington St. Joe Irish. Tonight’s battle features two Class A heavyweights, and the Crusaderettes are looking to put the exclamation point on a season in which No. 2 Catholic (20-1) dominated the No. 3 Yellowjackets (18-4) in its previous two meetings.

In a Jan. 4 contest carrying massive sectional implications, the two teams met in Williamstown. The result was a familiar one for the Crusaderettes, as they toppled the ‘Jackets in a 61-46 win. Two weeks later, Catholic took care of business on its home court with an 80-55 victory that featured 23 points in a standout performance from Aaliyah Brunny.

Brunny shound be the x-factor for her team’s success tonight, and her team-leading 16.8 points per game back up that statement.

Of course, Brunny is not alone.

Madeline Huffman tallied 26 points in Catholic’s commanding 67-31 win over Wahama in the sectional semifinal game on Tuesday night.

Huffman’s 15.7 point average pairs nicely with Brunny, but the Crusaderettes should not look past their stiff competition from Williamstown.

Calhoun County was no match for the ‘Jackets in their semifinal matchup, which was a decisive 79-41 win. In the contest, Williamstown overcame an uncharacteristically slow shooting start to jump out to an early double-digit lead that never wavered. Bethany Arnold did Bethany Arnold things when she finished with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. With her ability to dominate the paint with rebounds and points aplenty, Arnold is sure to be a big psrt of coach Fred Sauro’s game plan. Of course, that’s easy to say when Arnold is averaging a double-double on the year.

Another element of Williamstown’s game is its ability to utilize a balanced scoring attack.

In that semifinal game, Taylor Newton found the bottom of the net frequently, as she totaled 13 points off the bench. In fact, no one outside of Arnold (11.0 ppg), Jenna Pridemore (10.5 ppg) and leading scorer, Mara Rinehart (11.9 ppg) are averaging anywhere near double digits in the scoring column. That scoring disparity is due to the fact that the ‘Jackets spread the ball around and force their opposition to cover the entire floor. Nicole Reynolds leads Williamstown in assists, with 4.5 per game. That team effort is sure to come into play on Friday.

Both coaches know how big this game is, and they’re both looking to make the adjustments necessary to claim victory in this championship bout. For the ‘Jackets, Sauro says that his team should be prepared for action in this marquee matchup.

“We’re not dumb and we know the task we are facing,” Sauro said. “We also know, just like any game, you’ve got to try to negate your opponents’ strengths and play to yours.”

According to Sauro, his team needs to avoid the mistakes they made in the past by playing “just right.”

“I think it’s kind of like Goldilocks, you know,” he said. “This porridge is too hot. This porridge is too cold. We got to find one that is just right.”

For Catholic’s Marty Vierheller, his team is familiar with the ‘Jackets, so they need to stay focused, and be prepared for a large number of possibilities from the opposition.

“I will tell you we have a few (game plan wrinkles) of our own,” he said. “There are a number of things that he (Fred Sauro) could do and probably will try to do, so it’s our job to be prepared as best we can for whatever it is that coach Sauro schemes up.”

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