Opening round play in the Class 3 District 7 girls basketball tournament action delivered plenty of drama as the North Callaway Lady Thunderbirds defeated New Bloomfield 41-38 in overtime.
A …
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![Freshman Natalie Shryock provided the key shot in opening round district play against New Bloomfield Monday night. [Nathan Lilley Photo]](https://beta.creativecirclecdn.com/mexicoledger/original/20220225-130122-shyrock.JPG)
Opening round play in the Class 3 District 7 girls basketball tournament action delivered plenty of drama as the North Callaway Lady Thunderbirds defeated New Bloomfield 41-38 in overtime.
A sluggish start saw the No. 4 Lady T-Birds down 8-2 after one quarter, but they pulled even entering the intermission at 17-17. Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in the third quarter, combining for nine points, with No. 5 seed New Bloomfield leading 22-21 entering the fourth quarter.
It would take some late-game heroics from Natalie Shrycok, who hit a three-pointer to tie the game with six seconds to go in regulation, pushing the contest to overtime. There, the Lady T-Birds rallied, scoring nine, holding off New Bloomfield to advance to the semifinals.
Shryock had 14 points, going 4-for-14 from behind the three-point arc. She added 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists. Riley Blevins scored 13 points, going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Ryelle Schmauch had 6 points and 4 steals.
North Callaway was without the services of leading rebounder Kyanne Kellerman, but in her absence, Ellie Bedsworth stepped up, scoring 8 points - five of which came in the fourth quarter - and adding 3 assists and 7 rebounds.
New Bloomfield bows out at a 12-12 overall record.
“I’m very proud of the team,” said Callaway coach Tim Turlington, who said his team never got down and stayed positive throughout the contest.
“They were pumping each other up,” Turlington said. “Any win in districts is a good win.”
With the win, they advanced to play No. 1 seed Montgomery County Wednesday night and true to billing Montgomery, the Lady Wildcats advanced to the district finals with a 55-32 win.
A slow start had the Lady T-Birds trailing 16-4 after one quarter and 27-13 at the half.
Shryock led the team with 10 points. Schmauch had 6 points and 3 steals; Abrielle Burgher had 6 rebounds.
Malia Rodgers had 14 to lead Montgomery; Olivia Shaw and Samantha Queathem had 12 points each.
“The girls played hard,” said Turlington, “we just couldn’t get our shots to go in.”
Reflecting on the season, the coach is proud of his team.
“They never quit all year,” he said. “Our four seniors were spectacular all year - they will be missed.”
The Lady Thunderbirds finish with an 11-14 record for the 2021-22 campaign.
