Midway Swamps Oneida 67-40 for Region 2-1A Championship!
Even though the rain stopped almost four days ago, a giant Green Tidal Wave swept through the Roane State gymnasium tonight as the Midway Lady Waves put a hurt on the Oneida Lady Indians. One might say that Midway showed Oneida who was the ross – er, boss!
MVP Caitlyn Ross led her Lady Waves teammates in one of the finest displays of teamwork ever witnessed in this area, both offensively and defensively. While there was some question before the game of how Midway’s speed would compete with Oneida’s size and 3-point shooting, the young ladies from South of the River quickly dispelled any doubts.
Midway attacked like a buzz saw and jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first 2:45 of the game before Oneida could get on the board. Defensively, the Lady Waves gave Oneida few opportunities to shoot, and when they did, shots were typically hurried and off target. There is perhaps no greater indicator of Midway’s defensive success than the number of 3-point shots made by Oneida in the game – zero! Offensively, all five of Midway’s starters scored more points than any of Oneida’s players.
Midway poured in 24 points in the first quarter, led by Emily Cawood’s eight points. Three other Midway players scored at least four points in the first eight minutes. Oneida could only muster nine points in the quarter, and no Oneida player scored more than two points. Devastating to the Lady Indians were the three personal fouls charged to inside player Katelyn Stiltner in the first few minutes of the game. Midway’s speed and attacks inside most certainly were factors in Oneida’s fouls.
Midway continued to roll in the second quarter, outscoring Oneida 19-8, taking a 43-17 halftime lead. Rebecca Lemasters took the lead offensively for the Lady Waves in the second period, scoring nine of her 11 points in the quarter. Defensively, Midway held Oneida to eight points in the second quarter, with no single Lady Indian scoring more than two points.
Oneida took their zone defense to midcourt in the third quarter and slowed Midway’s offense down a bit. The Lady Indians outscored Midway 12-10, but could make no significant dent in Midway’s 26-point halftime lead. Caitlyn Ross led the Lady Waves in scoring with six points, and Gracie Martin scored four points for Oneida. Midway led 53-29 going into the fourth quarter.
Things looked bleak for the Lady Indians beginning the last eight minutes of play. Oneida’s offensive output would have to be twice as much as in any other quarter to even catch the Lady Waves. Midway made sure that did not happen, continuing to pour on the defensive pressure and limiting Oneida to 11 points. Emmy Taylor stepped up for the Lady Waves and scored six of her eight points in the fourth period. Even with a shift to ball control mode, the Lady Waves outscored Oneida 14-11 in the final quarter, sealing the victory 67-40 to the joy of a house that was packed mostly with Midway fans.
Caitlyn Ross led the Lady Waves offensively in the game, scoring 19 points – five 2-point baskets, one trey, and six-of-seven from the free throw line. Rebecca Lemasters and Emily Cawood each scored 11 points for the Lady Waves. Lemasters was four-for-four in free throw shooting. Paige Bacon and Heaven Prinzi each contributed nine points for Midway. Bacon was three-for-three from the free throw line. Emmy Taylor added eight points for Midway, including four-for-five free throw shooting.
Oneida was led in scoring by Gracie Martin with eight points and Katelyn Stiltner with seven points.
Midway will play the North Greene/Cosby loser in sectional play at Roane State this Saturday at 7:00 PM. Oneida will travel to face the North Greene/Cosby winner.
