The Rossford girls’ basketball team opened its season on November 18 at home with a loss to the Oak Harbor Rockets, 49-22 in a nonleague game. The Rockets relied on streaky shooting from the perimeter to jump out to an early lead that they never relinquished.
The Bulldogs, who start three sophomores, were unable to keep pace offensively with a Rockets team that connected for five three-point shots in the first quarter and 10 for the game.
Turnovers marred a performance that featured moments of competitiveness. After Oak Harbor opened the scoring with two straight threes and a layup, the Bulldogs called a timeout, down 8-0. At that point, Rossford had committed more turnovers than they had taken shots.
Out of the timeout, the Rockets once again lit the scoreboard from long range, hitting two more threes, all by guard Karter Haas, to push the lead to 17-0.
Finally, RHS senior Lola Luderman broke the ice for the Bulldogs when she hit two free throws. After a defensive stop, Luderman knocked down a three for the team’s first field goal of the game. The Rockets added to their lead with an uncontested layup near the end of the quarter. With the Bulldogs trailing 19-5, Oak Harbor opened the second quarter in the same fashion as they started the game. Haas rained in another trey to force another Rossford timeout. Two possessions later, Rossford’s Sadie St Mary hit for three from the top of the key, followed on the next possession by a bucket by Mia DeBortoli off an assist from Luderman.
The rally was short-lived though as Oak Harbor once again went inside for an easy basket in the paint. Rossford’s final shot before the end of the half fell short, and the Rockets carried a 26-10 lead into the locker rooms.
The Bulldogs came out with a renewed effort in the second half. Through some aggressive defensive play by sophomore Scarlett Williams, the team generated steals that allowed them to run the floor in transition. Williams reached the line and made one of two shots, and then followed that up with a steal that led to a coast-to-coast layup.
This brief flurry was stifled quickly though as the Rockets launched a 6-0 run. After hitting just one of two free throws, the Rockets came up with the rebound and Abbie Stahl knocked down another three.
On the following inbound, the Rocket defense drew a five second call on the Bulldogs. After the change of possession, Oak Harbor answered with a put back by Laney Schmidt to complete an 11-0 run that pushed the lead to 37-13.
Following a Bulldog timeout, the Rocket defense came up with a steal out front and took it in for the layup. The Bulldogs then added another flurry when Williams scored on a transition jumper. A steal by DeBortoli ended with a basket by St. Mary. But another long ball by the Rocket offense closed the third quarter with Oak Harbor leading 42-17.
The fourth quarter opened with a promising play by De-Bortoli. She grabbed the rebound, used her speed to get ahead of the defense and pulled up for a transition two. This aggressive play sparked a short Bulldog run.
Williams on the next possession hit a two in the key and then followed that with a trip to the line for one more free throw.
Rossford would score no more on the night. Both teams emptied the bench and the Rockets went into a ball-control tempo. The Rockets’s Emma Hand hit a triple shot and then the Rocket reserves added two more baskets to finish the night’s scoring.
After the game, Head Coach Toby Ledesma said, “A lot of credit goes to Oak Harbor. They took us out of our game plan. We had to adjust and play against some really good shooters.”
Ledesma was pleased with certain aspects of his team’s performance. “Many young players came in and tried to make positive plays. We’re a young team and we will take that experience and will use it going forward.”
Oak Harbor’s Haas led all scorers with 21 points, all on three-pointers. Teammate Schmidt joined her in double figures with 12.
All of Haas’s points came from behind the arc, a factor that affected Rossford defensively all night. “We wanted to make sure that we didn’t get beat off the dribble,” said Ledesma. “So, we prepared for protecting the paint first. But they had a freshman [Haas] who came in and hit four threes to start. It took us a quarter to adjust. Then, once you get in that hole, it’s hard to get out.”
No player reached double figures, but Williams led the team with eight despite being held scoreless for the first half. St. Mary and Luderman each added five to the effort.
Ledesma likes the direction his team is headed. “Scarlett [Williams] was the only one who started regularly last year. We’ll have more of an idea about what to expect now. A game like this helps us get those jitters out. Going forward, we’re going to simplify things. But I like where we’re at. We’re practicing well. We just need to keep putting forth a good effort and stay focused to our common goal.”
After hosting Ottawa Hills on November 22, the Bulldogs continue their homestand on Friday, November 25 when they welcome the Fostoria Redmen for their first conference game. The junior varsity game will tip off at 5:30 p.m.