CAMERON, W.Va. — Playing just their third game in nearly three weeks, Cameron made quick work of Heartland Christian, Ohio to advance to Saturday’s Ohio Valley Athletic Conference 1A championship game, winning 68-30 in the semifinal round.
The second-seeded Dragons took control of the contest with a game-opening 10-0 run and they never looked back, improving to 9-3 on the season.
“I told the girls in the locker room before the game that we needed to be ready to start right off the whistle,” said Cameron head coach Holly Pettit. “I think they did a great job defensively of causing some turnovers and running the floor well. It is always good to get those young girls in there to get some experience because we never know when we are going to need them.”
Cameron build a 24-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 35-13 halftime advantage. Freshman Kendra Thomas hit four three-pointers in the opening half an she finished the game with 17 points.
“She has been continuously getting better each game. We know the talent that she has. It was definitely, probably her best shooting night. She always sees the floor well but tonight, she shot really well.”
Senior Maci Neely, the lone returning starter from Cameron’s run of three consecutive Class A state championship teams, led CHS with 18 points.
“Maci always wants to run the floor and she is almost a definite when she gets the ball underneath the basket in transition. Anytime we can hit her on a fast break layup, we try to do it. That’s what she does.”
Rachel Reynolds scored 8 points for Heartland Christian (10-9).
The Dragons No. 1 Frontier, Ohio semifinal in Saturday’s championship game in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Tip time is set for 2 p.m.
“We know we have our work cut out for us whoever we play. It is definitely good, especially for these seniors who have been in the shadows the past few years. For them to accomplish something like this, and hopefully get a win on Saturday, would be great.”