'Streaks reach end of the road with loss to Dragons

• Piketon's girls fell to state-ranked Fairland Monday in a Division III district semifinal, 51-30.
• The Redstreaks were led by Kara Blanton with 9 points and 10 rebounds while Gracie Lightle scored 8.
• After the loss, Piketon bids adieu to Blanton, Kaylee Courtright and Summer Travis.

WAVERLY - Standing side by side, Piketon's Gracie Lightle looked over at teammate Kara Blanton on Monday evening with tears engulfing her eyes.

As a single teardrop fell onto Lightle's cheek, Blanton proposed a challenge and handed out a compliment.

"I expect these guys to be at the top of the league next year," Blanton said, glancing at Lightle. "I'm putting all the scoring responsibilities on Gracie's shoulders. I think they'll be just fine. They won't have any experienced post players, but with players like Gracie, they'll be just fine."

Lightle, now smiling, said with confidence, "I accept that challenge."

That was the aftermath of Piketon's 51-30 season-ending loss to Fairland in a Division III district semifinal at Waverly's Downtown Gym.

Understandably, disappointment was written on each of the Redstreaks' faces. But more importantly, the sense of wanting to get back to a district level of play was palpable.

"I definitely expect us to be right back here next year," Lightle said. "We have to work harder, definitely a lot harder, and get more shots up from the 3-point line. We're good in those areas, and we can excel in those areas. The post players will come. We've got a great coach so as long as we continue to stay focused and work hard, we'll be all right."

The Redstreaks (17-7) hung right with Fairland for three quarters. But in the fourth, the Dragons (21-2) showed exactly why they ended the season as Ohio's No. 9 ranked team in Division III.

After Fairland jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, Piketon went on a 7-0 run to take a 9-6 lead with 31.6 left in the first quarter. But Dragons point guard Emily Chapman ended the quarter with a three-point play to force a 9-9 tie into the second.

Lightle and Blanton both had shots fall before halftime but, unfortunately, they were the only two scores the Redstreaks mustered up. Meanwhile, a host of Dragons found the bottom of the net, putting their team up 20-13 at halftime.

In the third, the Redstreaks continued to battle.

Blanton and senior Summer Travis both scored to cut the deficit to a five-point margin, but that was as close as Piketon came to tying the score. Heading into the final eight minutes, the Dragons had a 30-23 edge.

Fairland's Taylor Wilson and Alesha Simpson scored four consecutive field goals to begin the fourth. That started a run that buried the Redstreaks, putting an official end to Piketon's 2016-17 season.

"(Fairland) definitely had a height advantage tonight," Blanton said. "They're a very good team and created matchup problems for us. We were right with them for 24 minutes, but just couldn't get the job done."

Blanton led the Redstreaks with nine points,10 rebounds and three assists. Lightle finished with eight points and four boards, while both Travis and Ally Crothers ended the evening with four points and three rebounds.

The loss forces Piketon to bid adieu to Blanton, Travis and Kaylee Courtright.

That trio leaves behind an overall record of 62-32 with a 35-21 mark in Scioto Valley Conference action. They captured three sectional championships and three Pike County Holiday Classic titles.

"Our seniors set up a practice environment where it's unacceptable to loaf and it's unacceptable to make excuses," Piketon coach Brett Coreno said. "Just by their actions, our practices are extremely focused. That's because of them. I couldn't be more proud of our kids this year."

dwebb@chillicothegazette.com

Twitter: @dw1509

Stat book

Piketon: 9-4-10-7 — 30

Fairland: 9-11-10-21 — 51

Piketon: 13-38 FG, 2-4 FT, 2-9 3pt. (Courtright 1, Lightle 1), 27 rebounds (Blanton 10), 28 turnovers, 8 Assists (Blanton 3). Scoring: Blanton 4 1-2 9, Lightle 3 1-2 8, Crothers 2 0-0 4, Courtright 1 0-0 3, Travis 1 0-0 2, Reuter 1 0-0 2, Williams 1 0-0 2.

Fairland: 22-53 FG, 4-7 FT, 3-13 3pt. (Chapman 2), 21 rebounds (Simpson 8), 11 turnovers, 11 Assists (Simpson 3, Chapman 3). Scoring: Chapman 6 1-1 15, Wilson 3 1-2 9, Simpson 3 0-0 6, Wagner 3 0-0 6, Marshal 2 1-2 5, McKinney 2 0-0 4, Lyons 1 0-0 3, Warnock 1 0-0 2, Fridley 0 1-2 1.