Archbold girls basketball loses to Columbus Africentric

3/9/2013

LEXINGTON, Ohio – A young Archbold girls basketball team saw its season end at the hands of the defending state champions in the Division III regional final today.

The Blue Streaks lost for only the second time this season and finished regional runner up. Columbus Africentric, which has won three state titles since 2007, knocked off Archbold 60-42.

Archbold (25-2) came out of the gate strong and led the Nubians 14-11 after one quarter. The Blue Streaks went on a 10-2 run to take a 14-6 lead late in the opening quarter.

But the Blue Streaks, who will lose just two seniors to graduation, had trouble handling the Nubians' full court press. They turned the ball over 21 times.

Africentric hit a 3-pointer to take a 19-16 lead with 4:24 left in the third quarter and never trailed again. The Nubians had a 15-2 spurt to put it out of reach.

Archbold sophomore Cassidy Williams finished with a team-high 10 points. Senior Taylor Coressel wrapped up her career with nine points. Sophomore Hannah Hesterman had eight points and five rebounds. Junior Cassidy Wyse tallied eight points.

The Blue Streaks finished the season ranked No. 3 in the state poll. Columbus Africentric (21-5), which finished with a 37-32 edge on the boards, ended the season ranked No. 6.