SHELBY — Natalie Lantz wasn’t sure what to expect before Tuesday’s showdown with state-ranked Bellevue, but it turned out Shelby’s veteran coach had nothing to fear.
Emma Randall made sure of it.
A Youngstown State recruit, Randall scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Whippets knocked off the short-handed Lady Red 56-43 on Tuesday at Shelby High School.
Bellevue played without leading scorer Casey Santoro. The Kent State recruit, who scored her 2,000th point earlier this season and is averaging 25.3 points a game, was suspended for the game after an in-game incident against Norwalk on Saturday.
Even without Santoro, the Whippets (20-1) were well aware of the challenge awaiting them. Bellevue (20-1) was ranked second in Division II in the most recent Associated Press state poll.
“We heard a couple of them say before the game they were nervous,” Lantz said. “I wasn’t too sure how that was going to go.”
Shelby trailed 8-7 after the first quarter before coming alive in the second. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Sophie Niese and Randall gave the Whippets a 23-11 lead with 2:50 remaining in the first half. The Lady Red closed the quarter 12-3 run, however, and trailed 26-23 at the half.
“We knew what we were up against,” said Niese, who scored eight of her 10 points in the second quarter. “We executed really well on offense and defense especially.”
Bellevue opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run and took a 32-28 lead on a Cory Santoro layup with 6:14 remaining in the period. Shelby responded with a 15-4 run to close the quarter and took a 43-36 advantage to the fourth.
“I loved our composure,” Lantz said. “We looked a little jittery at times … but the girls saw that they can play with a team like this. As long as we stay composed and we play good defense … we can come out on top.”
Bellevue cut Shelby’s lead to 45-41 on a Gabby Turner 3-pointer with 3:36 remaining in the fourth, but a Randall layup with 3:17 to play sparked a 11-2 run to close the game. Randall had six points in the fourth.
“We really increased out intensity and our energy,” Randall said. “I think it showed when we were out on the court.”
Olivia Baker backed Randall and Niese with nine points. Mary Mayer added five for the Whippets.
Cory Santoro led Bellevue with a game-high 22 points. Gabby Turner added 12.
“Cory has improved tremendously,” Lantz said. “I thought she did a phenomenal job for Bellevue.”
The Whippets will close the regular season at Mansfield Senior on Saturday. Shelby opens tournament play against either Clear Fork or Lexington on Feb. 22 at Monroeville.
“Every game I think they get more and more confident,” Lantz said. “I’m just real pleased with the way they worked together. It was a solid win.”
