WILLARD, Ohio — Beating a team three times in one season is an unenviable task, but Shelby’s Maddi Fidler didn’t seem to mind.
A 5-foot-10 sophomore, Fidler scored a game-high 23 points and controlled the lane as the Whippets thundered to a 64-40 win over Ontario.
Shelby (11-9) knocked off the Northern Ohio League rival Warriors (6-14) for a third time since Dec. 27.
“Playing the same team three times in a season is not an easy thing to do,” Shelby coach Natalie Lantz said. “There are no secrets at this point. They know what we are going to do and we know what they are going to do.”
What the Whippets did was feed Fidler in the post. She scored eight first-quarter points as Shelby jumped out to a 13-7 lead.
“We did a pretty good job on her the first time, but the second time we played them Fidler hurt us inside,” Ontario coach Sarah Krichbaum said. “Their guards do a nice job of entering the ball to her. She pins and seals well and does a nice job of finishing around the rim.”
Inside Out: When Ontario tried to slow down Fidler around the basket in the second half with an extra defender, Shelby’s guards made the Warriors pay. Gabby Stephens scored 13 points, while Jackie Garrett dropped 10 of her 12 in the fourth quarter.
Shelby outscored Ontario 23-11 in the fourth quarter and 37-22 in the second half.
Defense: The Whippets turned up the defensive heat in the second half. The Warriors had no answer for Shelby’s double teams, resulting in several fast-break opportunities.
“The first time we played them, they really struggled with our pressure,” Lantz sad. “The second time, I wasn’t pleased with the way we talked and rotated.
“Tonight we picked it up a little bit more.”
Silver Lining: Ontario’s Madeline Collins scored 18 points, while Nashail Shelby and Amanda Nething had nine points apiece.
All three are freshmen.
“I thought we did some very good things,” Krichbaum said. “We’ve come a long way with a young team. We lose one kid, but we have everybody else back.
“Even though we didn’t get a win tonight, I’m looking forward to moving on.”
