MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Christian girls basketball team peaked at the right time this season.
Coach J.R. Wilson’s Flames found their footing in the Ohio Christian School Athletic Association Tournament, finishing as state runners-up on Saturday.
The Flames finished their campaign 9-13 overall, but made their second straight Final Four appearance in the OCSAA Tournament. Mansfield Christian was third in 2016.
“At the start of the season, if you would have told us we would be back at the Final Four this year we wouldn’t have believed you,” Willson said. “We are trying to get better each year and these wins mean a lot to the girls.”
In Friday’s state semifinal, MCS squeaked past Dominion Academy with a 46-44 overtime win at Ohio Christian University in Circleville. In the championship game against New Hope Christian School, the Flames dropped a 33-17 decision.
“We were within 10 points until about three minutes. Our defensive effort was low then, but it was close all the way until the end,” the coach said.
Wilson admitted the Flames had a slow start to the season, but after a winning streak the girls realized their potential.
“After we beat Crestline, we went on a three- or four-game win steak,” he said. “The youth of our team — Faith Weinhardt our junior guard — stepped up defensively.
“Weinhardt’s defense was spectacular. In the state semifinals, she created several turnovers which led to us sealing the victory. She also scored 15 points in that game.”
