Gingras, Newark girls down Lancaster, continue recent hot streak
NEWARK ― Brie Gingras is on a roll, and not coincidentally, her Newark teammates have followed suit.
The senior guard followed her career-high 28 points against Pickerington North with a 26-point night versus Lancaster on Friday, drilling four 3-pointers and pumping in 16 second-half points in a 51-34 Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division win against the visiting Golden Gales.
“The Anthony Wayne game really got her going,” Wildcats’ coach Jack Eifert said of Gingras, averaging 23.4 over the last five games, all Newark victories. “Not only hitting shots, but free throws.” She had 24 in that win, 17 in just three quarters against Worthington Kilbourne and 22 versus Groveport.
“She’s always had it in her, and she’s an outstanding player and person,” said senior forward Syncere Royster. “I’m happy to see her find her flow.”
Playing before a good-sized crowd in Jimmy Allen Gymnasium on Alumni Night, it took the Wildcats (8-6, 4-2) a little while to get going against youthful but scrappy Lancaster (7-9, 1-5), which started just one senior. The Gales forced 10 first-half turnovers with their pressure defense and led 10-8 early in the second quarter on a driving layup by Chandler Crowell. But they went six minutes without scoring, going just 2-of-16 from the floor in the period, and Newark took advantage.
Sophomore Addi Hall came off the bench to give the Wildcats a spark. She executed the pick and roll to find Royster for a layup, touching off an 11-0 run. After Gingras turned a steal and breakaway into a 3-point play, Hall drove the baseline for a layup. Gingras did the same, and Ally Carr’s two foul shots gave Newark a 21-12 halftime lead.
Gingras made all four of her 3s in the second half, including two in the third quarter that staked the Wildcats to a 31-15 lead. But Lancaster fought back, getting 3s by Ky Pugh and Emalene Chevalier and another basket from Pugh, pulling within 34-25 heading to the fourth.
However, Newark rattled off the first eight points of the fourth, with Jenna Shackleford making a 3 off a Gingras assist, Royster assisting Gingras from long range, and Shackleford passing to Sophie Bidwell for a layup and commanding 42-25 cushion. Gingras totaled 10 points down the stretch.
“I’ve been getting in a lot of shooting. I was out here a couple of hours before the game,” said Gingras, who also had four steals. “We’ve been working hard in practice, and we’re coming together. We’ve been getting better at staying under control when we’re pressured, and finding the right person at the right time.”
Newark’s patience resulted in stellar 19-of-35 shooting for 54 percent. Shackleford added nine points and six rebounds, Bidwell notched six points and seven boards, and Royster also scored six and had five rebounds.
“We’re really starting to play better, getting a lot more inside out going,” Royster said. “We’re getting all together with the flow. We started keeping them off the offensive boards, boxing out, and being careful with the ball against the trap was really big.”
At halftime, Eifert said the Wildcats talked about keeping the Gales off the offensive glass and taking better care of the ball.
“They had nine offensive rebounds in the first half, which results in extra possessions, but only three in the second,” he said. “We knew they were a feisty team. I’ve coached two or three of their varsity players in AAU.”
Lancaster coach Dusty Miller lamented his team’s inability to put the ball in the basket. The Gales made six 3s, including a pair by freshman Molly Stedman, but went just 13-of-48 from the floor for 27 percent. Junior Jenna Grabans led the scoring with eight points, while lone senior starter Peyton Wilson snagged seven rebounds.
“I think both teams had great game plans coming in. The difference was they knocked down their shots, and we didn’t,” Miller said. “Our girls played hard. In the second and third quarters, we forced them into turnovers with our pressure. But once they solved it, they started getting easy baskets.”
He’s still confident the Gales are turning the corner.
“On our trip to South Carolina, we grew as a team and program,” Miller said. “We played three state-ranked teams, from Pennsylvania, Tennessee and South Carolina, and we won by 10 against the Pennsylvania team. We’re hitting our stride at the right time.”
Eifert hopes the same for his Wildcats, who faced a tall, talented Canadian team Saturday in the Classic In The City at Pickerington Central, and meet undefeated West Clermont from near Cincinnati on Monday in the Classic In the Country at Berlin Hiland.
“With three games in four days, you have to find a way to prepare,” Eifert said. “But I think we’re getting a little more confidence, and getting a better idea of who we are.”
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