MANSFIELD — Kiersten Bradley isn’t ready for her senior season to end any time soon.
Bradley scored a game-high 17 points, all in the first half, to lead Mansfield Senior over Ontario 50-28 in a Division II sectional semifinal Thursday.
The senior said she’s motivated to extend the Tygers’ season for as long as possible.
“I’m never trying to have it be my last game,” she said. “I’m going to keep playing until I can’t.”
The Tygers advance to Saturday’s sectional final where they’ll host fifth-seeded Port Clinton at 7 p.m.
Tygers playing with sense of urgency
Mansfield Senior gave its home crowd at Pete Henry Gymnasium a lot to cheer about Thursday night.
The Tygers began the game with an 8-0 run, forcing Ontario to burn its first timeout with 5:21 remaining in the first quarter.
The Warriors scored their only points of the period when senior Ka’Mashya Shaw nailed a half-court shot at the buzzer.
By halftime, Mansfield Senior had extended its lead over the Warriors to 28-8.
Bradley, who hit five treys in the first half, said she felt confident after getting her first shot to fall.
“I was like, ‘If I’m just ready and I’ve got the shot, just shoot it and take it,'” she said.
The senior shot 46.2 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from behind the 3-point line on the night.
Other contributors included Kyeona Myers (8 points), Monetta Hilory (8), Annaleise Norris (7), Juleah Windham (5), Dazi Manns (3) and Lamy’yah Lindsay (2).
Freshman Rylee Milner led Ontario with 9 points. Seven additional Warriors — including Shaw — scored at least a point.
‘We’re just hitting our stride’ says Meeks
After building a 20 point lead at halftime the Tygers never looked back.
Mansfield Senior shot 43.2 percent from the field and nailed seven triples, while defensively forcing the Warriors to commit 10 turnovers.
The Tygers outscored Ontario 22-20 in the second half, punching their ticket to Saturday’s sectional final.
Mansfield Senior coach El Meeks spoke highly of his team’s performance in Thursday’s tournament opener.
“We’re just hitting our stride,” Meeks said. “It’s a new season and that’s what it’s all about.
“Scratch 19-3, we’re 1-0.”
Mansfield Senior using OCC finish as motivation
The Tygers’ didn’t end their season how they wanted to in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.
A 40-35 overtime loss to New Philadelphia on Feb. 15 meant Mansfield Senior had to settle for a second-place finish in the OCC.
Bradley said her team has used the result as motivation.
“I think that’s what brought us out here today, because we didn’t end (the season) how we wanted to,” she said.
“So, we came out (tonight) with as much as we could and we’re going to finish with as much as we can.”
While Meeks wanted an OCC title for his seniors, he’s encouraged them to leave the regular season in the past.
“They have one (OCC championship), yes we would want two, but the bigger goal is sectionals, districts, regionals and state.
“They don’t throw parades for OCC championships, they throw parades for state championships, and I think that motivated them more than anything.”