Lady Pioneers beat top-seeded Lynchburg ZT heading to the Convo

S  V  C     S  W  E  E  P WF & ZT both punch tickets to Athens

Jess Roepke scored a game-high 15 points to lift ZT in the low scoring, district semifinal win

Lynchburg Clay did connect on half of its field goal attempts Saturday afternoon; however, the defense of the Lady Pioneers forced 21 turnovers and played even on the glass to hold the top-seeded Lady Mustangs to just 23 points. This effort was good enough to record a four-point win - a win that secures the red, white, and blue a spot in the district finals next week at the Convo in Athens. Great execution in the scrimmage area offense allowed Zane Trace to control the tempo, and Jess Roepke provided just enough offense to lead the Pioneers to the win. Roepke helped ZT start fast scoring eight of her game-high 15 points in the first half. This helped ZT own a 10-7 lead at the break. Lynchburg did respond to take as much as a four-point advantage, but ZT battled back to put themselves in a position to win. With just under a minute to go and Zane Trace down by one, Sierra Sigman delivered the go-ahead bucket - a shot that proved to be the game-winner. The one thing that could have hurt ZT was the free throw line. The Lady Pioneers made only 3-of-12 from the line and missed several chances to put the game away in the final minute, but again, the defense of the Lady Pioneers was more than enough to get the job done.

In game one Saturday night, Westfall put all five starters in double-figures as it defeated Lucasville Valley 77-69 to secure a spot in next week's district tournament. Senior floor general Bryant Gibson not only scored a team-high 20 points, but his 13 assists played a big role in Tyler Kritsch's 16 points, Travis Burleson's 16 points, Tyler Cobb's 13 points and Tyler Burleson's 11 points. Kritsch also added 16 rebounds as he continues to play big in Westfall's biggest games. In the late game, if Zane Trace was an underdog somebody forgot to let the Pioneers know, because Zane Trace beat Peebles 69-51. Zane Trace jumped out early and was never really in trouble. Kirk Maxwell scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Gabe Haynes added 13 points. Zane Trace also got great frontline play as Rick Chamberlin scored 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds and senior D.J. Merriman chipped in nine points and six rebounds. Both SVC teams join Piketon next Sunday at the Convo where the league trio will compete for a spot in the district championship round.

www.svcsportszone.com