Fulton County Ohio Media

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fGZBs9zZbQN3uesy5

With what may have been their toughest test of the season, the Delta Lady Panthers took their spotless 14-0 record into the Archbold Thunder Dome and held off the always dangerous Lady Blue Streaks 57-48 to run their school record of opening season consecutive wins to an incredible 15. 

Archbold entered the contest with an impressive overall record of 12-3 and employed a zone-trapping defense to disrupt the Delta offense.  However, in the first half, the Panthers executed precise and timely ball movement to easily overcome the Streaks’ defensive strategy, leading to easy baskets underneath and drawing several fouls in the act of shooting.  “We’ve been working on that, just better ball movement,” explained Delta head coach Kelsey Gillen.  “At times just kept passing the ball and we were able to pull it together.”  Delta outscored Archbold 19-4 in the first quarter and led 30-10 at one point in the second quarter before going into halftime with a 30-16 advantage.

Early in the third quarter, the Streaks mounted a comeback and were able to reduce the deficit to single digits.  But the Panthers regrouped with senior Kendall Sprow scoring 8 of her 14 points in the frame, helping to keep Delta’s 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.  Again, Archbold rallied and pulled with five points before Delta was able to stretch the lead back to nine for the 57-48 NWOAL victory.  “You have to give them a lot of credit,” Coach Gillen said of the Lady Blue Streaks and the comeback they made.  “They have a great coach and a great team.”

Delta freshman standout Anna Lohman led all players with 21 points but her defense was also a major contributor to the win.  With Archbold drawing close late in the fourth quarter, Lohman made a thunderous block of a three-point attempt and the Streak shooters became very gun-shy when being guarded by her.  “It felt really good,” said Lohman of the defensive play.  “I was watching her warm up and I knew she liked to shoot from there.”

Delta’s stellar 15-0 overall record includes 3-0 in the NWOAL.  They will play the Fayette Lady Eagles on Saturday in the “Jungle” at Delta High School.  Archbold drops to 12-4 on the season and 2-2 in the league.  They will welcome the Springfield Blue Devils into the “Thunder Dome” on Saturday.

Delta Lady Panthers: 19-11-17-10 = 57 Anna Lohman (21), Kendal Sprow (14), Addison Wyse (14), Keagyn Gillen (5), Abby Todd (3)

Archbold Lady Blue Streaks: 4-12-17-15 = 48 Miley Gericke (19), Charlie Forward (11), Klaire Kern (8), Alana Pedraza (6), Makena Thiel (4)

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fuiltoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Anna Lohman goes up inside for a shot