SHELBY – Natalie Lantz isn’t ready for her team to be satisfied just yet.
Shelby clinched at least a share of a sixth straight Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference title Friday night by defeating Ontario 71-36.
A share of the league title isn’t to be overlooked. But the Whippets’ coach said her team is hungry to claim an outright championship.
“I want to say satisfied, but not yet,” Lantz said. “We would love to clinch the outright share.”
Shelby’s sights are now set on the upcoming trip to Pleasant Feb. 8.
The Spartans, one game behind in the MOAC race, handed Shelby its lone league loss earlier this season, 52-40.
“Pleasant is ready for us,” Lantz said.
“We’ve got to bring the battle to them this time. They came and took us on our home court, and that’s going to be our goal there.”
Whippets couldn’t look past Warriors
Before earning a shot at an outright MOAC title, Shelby first needed to handle business on the road.
Ontario opened the game as though they were competing for a title of their own, keeping pace with the Whippets. After one quarter, Shelby led 14-11.
Junior Serena Ramsey said Lantz helped the team regroup after a scrappy first frame.
“She kind of got us dialed back in and we started to lock down on defense,” she said.
Whatever Lantz said in the huddle clicked.
After a slow start, Shelby outscored the Warriors 57-25 during the remaining three quarters.
Junior Eve Schwemely led Shelby in scoring with 21 points. Ramsey tallied 13 points, eight rebounds and an assist. Ten additional Whippets also recorded at least a point.
Ontario sophomore Mackenzie Goodlin led the Warriors with 16 points.
Ramsey provides a ‘heck of a presence’ says Lantz
Six of Ramsey’s eight rebounds came on the offensive glass, a part of the game she works on often, she said.
“I really just try to get in the key and try to box people out,” she said. “We work on those (post moves) every day, so those obviously help me in the paint.”
Lantz said the junior has continued to grow throughout the second half of the season.
“I think she’s (Ramsey) getting more and more confident,” she said.
“She’s a heck of a presence and doing a great job on the boards. I think as her strength and balance come, she can do great things here at the end of this season and into next (season).”
Shelby seeks outright MOAC title next week
Ramsey said the Whippets will need to maintain their current level of play in order to overcome Pleasant.
“We’re going to have to execute and communicate on defense,” she said.
Lantz added that experiences gained against other MOAC opponents, such as River Valley and Clear Fork, will play a pivotal role in round two with the Spartans.
Shelby defeated the Vikings and Colts two times each earlier this season.
“Pleasant is a really good team. We know we have our work cut out for us,” she said.
“I know the girls want it (outright MOAC title). I don’t want them to be satisfied, yet.”
HIGHLIGHT REEL
