PDT Sports Writer

LUCASVILLE - Lainee Clay scored the first six points for Wheelersburg Monday.

She was just getting started. Just a sophomore, Clay finished with a game-high 26 points on the evening, adding five rebounds and two steals as the Lady Pirates downed North Adams 58-43 to move on to the Division III Sectional Semifinal at Valley High School.

The win puts the Lady Pirates in a sectional final Saturday afternoon against South Point, which beat Portsmouth 59-41 in an earlier contest. For Wheelersburg, the team's size advantage allowed the team to pound the ball inside, with Clay being the main recipient.

“It was really a team effort,” said Clay. “We played hard as a team. Even though I had that many, it was a team effort. They were getting me the ball when I was open.”

Up 29-21 at halftime, the Lady Pirates used a 21-6 run in the third quarter to lead 50-27 after three quarters. The Lady Devils made a run in the fourth, outscoring Wheelersburg 16-8, but the Lady Pirates were able to move on.

“At halftime, we talked about going back in the third quarter and tried to establish our halfcourt defense,” said Wheelersburg coach Dusty Spradlin. “I thought that we did a really nice job there, and in the third quarter just contesting shots, making it tough in that scoring area.”

Jessica Blanton scored 12 points for the Lady Pirates, and Brittany Warner had eight points and 10 rebounds. Sarah Schmidt added four steals.

South Point 59, Portsmouth 41

Portsmouth began its season against South Point.

It was fitting the Trojans had another chance at the Lady Pointers to begin the tournament. Unfortunately for Portsmouth, the Trojans were unable to exact revenge from the earlier loss, falling 59-41.

South Point was up by five, 17-12, after the first, but outscored Portsmouth 23-5 in the second to lead 40-17 at halftime.

“I thought that we had a great first quarter,” said Trojans coach Joe Albrecht. “We put pressure on the ball, but they found their open people and hit nice perimeter shots. When you use pressure defense, trapping-style defense, you have got to hope that they don't make those shots and they did.”

Playing in her last game, Jennifer Bendolph led the Trojans in scoring. The senior poured in 20 points, adding seven rebounds and four steals. Fourteen of those points came in the first half.

“I was happy with my performance, and the team stepped up in the second half,” said Bendolph.

Portsmouth outscored South Point in the second half 24-19.

Also playing in their last games were seniors Sydnee Jordan and Brittany Stanley. Jordan had six points on the night, adding five steams. Stanley had four points, adding four rebounds and two blocks.

JOSH HICKLE can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 241.

North Adams 9 13 5 16 - 43

Wheelersburg 22 7 21 8 - 58

North Adams - Hughes 1 0 2, Beasley 5 0 12, T. Jodrey 2 2 6, Daniels 0 1 1, Basford 3 3 9, Shoemaker 3 1 7, k. Jodrey 0 6 6. Totals 14 13 43.

Wheelersburg - Clevenger 1 0 3, Schmidt 2 3 7, Blanton 4 1 12, Warner 4 0 8, Clay 9 8 26, Staker 1 0 2. Totals 21 12 58.

3-pointers - North Adams 2 (Beasley); Wheelersburg 4 (Clevenger, Blanton 3)

Records - Wheelersburg 13-6

Portsmouth 12 5 15 9 - 41

South Point 17 23 8 11 - 59

Portsmouth - Colley 3 0 6, Stanley 2 0 4, Jordan 2 2 6, Bendolph 5 10 20, Taylor 2 1 5. Totals 14 13 41.

South Point - Wheeler 4 0 8, Kelley 1 0 2, Collier 4 0 9, Mayo 2 0 5, Lee 7 1 15, Leighty 2 1 5, Blake 4 0 8, Taylor 2 0 4.

3-pointers - Portsmouth none; South Point 2 (Collier, Mayo)

Record - Portsmouth 2-19