WILLARD — The Colts wanted to get out and go, but Willard grabbed the reins Thursday at Robert L. Haas Gymnasium.
The Crimson Flashes limited Clear Fork to three third-quarter points and thundered to a 58-38 win in an early season match-up of unbeaten teams.
“Originally we were planning on trying to use our speed,” said Rousch, whose Colts opened the season with a resounding 67-33 win over St. Peter’s. “They did a great job of slowing us down.”
Clear Fork (1-1) led Willard (3-0) 9-8 late in the first quarter before the Flashes heated up from the perimeter. Hannah Schloemer knocked down the first of her three 3-pointers to give Willard an 11-9 advantage. The Flashes led 12-9 after one quarter and pushed the lead to 33-23 at halftime.
“They’re big, they’re quick, they’re strong and they use it very, very well,” Rousch said of the Flashes. “When they start hitting from the outside, you’re so focused on the height on the inside. They really pushed us to our limit.”
Pick Your Poison: Willard’s roster features four 6-footers, including 6-foot-4 center Gabi Baldridge.
“We have so much size that teams have to focus on that,” Willard coach Jon Dawson said. “That kind of opens up our shooters a little bit. We usually have three kids out there who can shoot it pretty well.
“Tonight was really the first time we started to shoot it well.”
Willard was 18-for-41 from the field and 5-for-13 from beyond the 3-point arc.
In the Zone: Clear Fork’s speed and athleticism forced Willard to abandon its man-to-man defense and favor of a 2-3 zone.
“We don’t usually play much zone,” Dawson said. “In five years I haven’t played much zone … but it’s working.”
Tough Night: All-Ohio candidate Deijah Swihart, who scored 21 points in the opener, was limited to six points Thursday. The Ashland University-bound senior grabbed eight rebounds.
Teachable Moment: Despite the loss, Roush was pleased with the way her team kept battling — even when the score got out of hand in the second half.
“They still dug deep, they still worked hard and they didn’t give us any attitude,” Roush said. “That’s not easy when you are used to being a good team and you find yourself down by 20. I was proud of the way they didn’t quit.
“We found that we have some work to do. We found that we can’t be content to be business as usual.”
Morgan Bailey led Clear Fork with 15 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Madilyne McDonald added seven.
Postseason Preview?: Both Clear Fork and Willard have high expectations and could run into each other in the district tournament.
“This was a biggie,” Roush said. “We know that Willard is a powerhouse.
“We are glad we got to come up here.”
Junior Varsity: Willard jumped out to a big first-quarter lead and curised to a 38-22 win in junior varsity action.
