CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Throughout the 2025-26 season, one of Wheeling Central’s best assets has been its balance across the starting five.
While the Class AA No. 3 Maroon Knights possess their fair share of standouts, their success can largely be attributed to spreading the wealth.
That was certainly on display Wednesday in a quarterfinal round matchup with No. 6 Wayne, one that saw Central’s starting five total 26 field goals and 67 points to lead the way in a 71-35 victory over the Pioneers inside the Charleston Coliseum.
“When we step out ready to go, defense leads to offense,” Central coach Roberta Olejasz said. “If we play defense the way we played defense today, the offense is kick started. When we’re locked in, we’re really good. We practice hard every day.”
The result allows the Maroon Knights (20-5) to move on to the semifinal round where the winner of Williamstown-Philip Barbour awaits.
One year after winning Class AAA, Wayne finishes 17-7.
“Our six seniors leaving last year hurt us, but a lot of people counted us out and we showed we could make it here without having six seniors,” said Pioneers’ standout guard Jayce Sammons. “I’m so proud to be part of something that’s still growing.”
Central built a 22-6 lead after one quarter on the strength of strong play on both ends.
The Maroon Knights made half of their 16 shots through 8 minutes, with post players Haley Severns and Erin Maxwell and guard Bella Fitzsimmons all scoring six points in the period. Fitzsimmons’ output came courtesy of two three-pointers.
“When I make an early shot, my confidence gets up and when my teammates find me and I’m open, I can hit them from anywhere on the floor,” Fitzsimmons said.
Wayne, meanwhile, struggled to develop rhythm, shooting 3 for 11 and missing all six of its threes in the opening frame.
Central continued to showcase its balance during a solid second quarter that saw the Maroon Knights make another eight field goals to enter halftime with a 42-18 advantage.
At the break, Severns and Fitzsimmons had 11 points apiece and Maxwell had 10 to go with 11 rebounds.
“We had plenty of time to prepare for this team,” Olejasz said.” They were locked in and play so well together. They all like each other and enjoy playing together.”
The Maroon Knights were hardly threatened in the second half and led 57-29 after a third quarter that ended with Sammons making a shot from near half court.
In addition to making 28 field goals, Central was 11 for 11 on free throws and had only five turnovers.
Severns led all players with 20 points and added nine rebounds, while Maxwell contributed 16 points and a game-best 15 rebounds to help Central dominate the board battle, 50-31.
“The biggest thing is trusting in one another,” Severns said. “We can shoot but also both drive. We find each other really well.”
Fitzsimmons scored 15 and Seneca Heller 11 to make it four in double figures in the victory.
“Heller is the straw that stirs the drink for sure, but they absolutely have many people that can score,” Wayne coach Wade Williamson said. “I was really worried about Maxwell because of her size and she has some length. Their overall strength and maturity bothered us more than anything.”
Sammons led WHS with 14 points.
“We didn’t get the kind of outcome we wanted. Things didn’t go well at all for us today,” Williamson said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well. Tip your hat to Central. They defended us well. We never really got into a flow once we got down a little bit. They have an old team, they’re strong and they kind of took it at us early.”