'Cats hoping to do great things in the postseason

    Balance.
 
    That might be the best way to describe Woodmore girls basketball.
 
    The Wildcats, who are 12-5 and 9-4 in the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division, have three scorers averaging between 8.5 and 8.7 points, and about 10 players see playing time on a regular basis.
 
    Kelsey Kaylor, a 5-7 guard, leads the team in scoring, averaging 8.7 points, and she grabs 3.6 rebounds per game; senior forward/post Kara Schneider, who is 6-0, averages 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.9 steals, and 5-11 forward Ariana Florio is putting up 8.5 points per game.
 
    “It makes it tough to key in on one player when game planning against us. It means we share the ball well and gives us some different options offensively, too,” said Woodmore coach Kyle Clair, now in his 17th season leading the program at his alma mater. “Ideally, we want all of them to be clicking at the same time which can make us tough to beat. Even the other two starters, Keira (Travis) and Camille (Strong), are capable of big nights offensively. With the tough part of our schedule coming up, we will really need that balance and then some.”
 
    Strong, a 5-7 point guard, averages 6.8 points and 3.7 assists while Travis, a 5-9 forward, puts up 4.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
 
    Some of the key reserves include 5-5 guard Brooke Lowry, 5-4 guard Emma Hahn, 5-4 guard Izzy Helmke and 5-7 post Alivia Smith. Abby Schmeltz, Karli Heins, Lillian Runion, Olivia Schreck and Molly Hower have also seen action.
 
    “Depth was a question going into the season, but that question was quickly answered because our bench has really stepped up and given us quality minutes,” said Clair. “Seniors Alivia Smith, Brooke Lowry, and Lili Runion have all stepped up in addition to sophomore Emma Hahn and junior Izzy Helmke giving us impactful minutes when we've needed it.”
 
    Clair credits Florio for her efforts this season, too.
 
    “Ariana Florio has had a breakout year as well,” Clair said. “Her length and athleticism has made her one of the top rebounders in the league, and she is a confident post presence for us on both sides (of the court).”
 
    The Wildcats lost the opener to Port Clinton, 42-32, before reeling off six straight wins, which included a 45-37 road win over Old Fort. There was also a 41-31 victory over Lakota, which avenged a loss in a sectional final last season. And of course, wins over old Northern Buckeye Conference foes in Lake (43-36) and Eastwood (50-44) were special.
 
    “All wins are great, but I would say opening up league play with a win against Lakota set the tone for us early,” Clair said. “Wins over Lake and Eastwood were hard-fought, and the win at Old Fort where we had to overcome some adversity stick out.” 
 
    In the win over the Flyers, Woodmore broke a 28-28 tie after three quarters and outscored Lake, 15-8, in the final eight minutes. Schneider had 10 of her game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to help pace the Wildcats.
 
    The victory over the Stockaders saw Woodmore nearly blow a 19-point lead as Old Fort cut the deficit to 37-34 with three minutes to play. But behind 13 points from Kaylor and 12 from Schneider, the Wildcats responded and took control of the game.
 
    In the win over the Comets, Woodmore had to rally from a 5-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Florio scored on a layup with 1:42 to play to tie the score, 59-59, and Lowry hit a field goal 27 seconds later to give the Wildcats the lead for good at 61-59.
 
    Florio led the way for Woodmore with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Strong added 11 points and Smith and Lowry scored 10 points apiece.
 
    In a Division VI Northwest District, the Wildcats are currently ranked third in RPI (.5412) out of eight teams, behind Gibsonburg (.5879) and Carey (.6164). (Toledo Christian, Lakota, Van Buren, Cardinal Stritch and Northwood are the other teams in the district.)
 
    It’s been a good season thus far for Woodmore, which is hoping to make a tournament run.
 
    “This season has been very rewarding and a lot of fun. Our group of kids have been awesome to coach and be around,” said Clair. “I think we have surprised some people this year and we even feel like we let a couple games go that we would like to have back. All in all, I'm really excited about this team and what they can do as we finish out the season.”
 
    The Wildcats finish the season with three tough opponents — Old Fort, Danbury and Gibsonburg — which will hopefully serve as a tune-up for the postseason.