Maconaquah Schools

Since 2001, the Lady Braves had not clinched a girls' basketball sectional title, and none of players on the current team weren't even born at that time. On Saturday night, February 8, 2025, they changed that narrative by defeating Peru 60-50 in the Twin Lakes Sectional Championship. The teams had faced each other twice earlier in the season, splitting their matchups: Maconaquah defeated Peru during the regular season, while Peru edged out the Lady Braves in overtime at the Miami County Tournament. This sectional championship marked their third encounter. The game began with Peru taking an early 5-0 lead after their first two possessions. However, the Lady Braves quickly responded with a three-pointer from Delaney Betzner and a two-point field goal with an "and one" from Ireland Kile, putting them ahead 6-5. The remainder of the first quarter saw both teams adjusting to each other's defenses. Aubrey Kaiser found a way to exploit Peru's defense early on, scoring 4 of her career-high 10 points in the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter, Peru held a narrow 12-11 lead. In the second quarter, the Lady Braves found their rhythm from beyond the arc, sinking three three-pointers from Addie Maiben, Betzner, and Kile. They shot 56% from the floor, going 5 for 9, including an impressive 3 for 4 from three-point range. By halftime, the Lady Braves had taken a 24-21 lead. During the second half, the Lady Braves excelled offensively, recording only 5 turnovers. Kasey Murry, coming off the bench, made a significant impact on both ends of the court, contributing 5 points, including a crucial three-pointer to extend the team's lead. Betzner added another three-pointer, and Aubrey Kaiser scored a two-pointer. At the end of the third quarter, the Lady Braves held a slim 36-35 advantage. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Braves intensified their defensive efforts, making it challenging for Peru to score consistently. After struggling at the free-throw line in their previous game against Twin Lakes, where they shot 13 for 31, the Lady Braves turned it around, going 17 for 20 from the charity stripe, including 15 for 18 in the final quarter. Murry hit another three-pointer, while Kile and Addie Maiben combined for 13 of 14 from the free-throw line, sealing the victory at 60-50. With this win, the Lady Braves improved their record to 16-8, marking the third-highest number of wins in school history. They will compete in the Wes Del Regional on Saturday, February 15, at 7:00 PM against Delta High School. Coach Davis's Reflection: "This was a total team win tonight. Everyone involved in this program contributed to our success in winning three games in four days, whether through practices, film sessions, or support during the game, on the floor or from the bench." Coach Davis also extended a heartfelt thank you to his assistant coaches for their dedication this past week in preparing the team for the sectional. Additionally, he acknowledged the 8th-grade boys' team for their contributions throughout the season for coming in and practicing with the Lady Braves. A special thanks was given to the parents and fans, whose loud and enthusiastic support over the three nights made a significant difference. The players truly felt the energy from their supporters during all three games. Team Stats: FG%: +6% 3FGM: +2 3FG%: +16% FTM: +10 FT%: +27% Second Chance Pts: +3 Defensive Rebounds: +3 Assist: +9 Steals: +4 Individual Stats: Ireland Kile: 17 pts, 6 rebs and 2 steals Addie Maiben: 14 points, 2 rebs and 2 assist Aubrey Kaiser 10 pts (Career High), 4 rebs, 1 assist and 1 steal Delaney Betzner: 9 pts, 7 rebs, and 5 assist Kasey Murry: 8 pts (Career High), 2 rebs, 1 assist and 1 steal Aubrey Stoll: 2 pts, 3 rebs, 4 assist and 2 steals