Late surge sends Maysville into state title game

DAYTON — No moment has been too big for Maysville.

It was no different during Saturday's Division II state semifinals against Shelby at the University of Dayton.

Jordyn Watson's jumper then Alex Bobb's ensuing steal and layup late in the fourth quarter put the Panthers ahead for good in a 68-65 victory.

Maysville advanced to face Kettering Alter in the state championship game at 5:15 p.m. Sunday.

"For the past four weeks, our guys have fought and clawed to reach this point," Maysville coach Dave Brown said. "Shelby is a very good team, and (Alex) Bruskotter can hit some tough shots. This group loves each other, and Alex, Jordyn and Gator (Nichols) showed up. We found a way to Championship Sunday."

Fourth quarter to remember

Bobb hit a 3 before the third-quarter buzzer to pull the Panthers even at 50.

There were three lead changes and three ties in the final eight minutes, highlighted by Watson's 3 to put Maysville up 57-54.

Bruskotter, who had 34 points on 13-of-16 shooting, scored on back-to-back possessions to give the Whippets a 58-57 edge with 3:20 remaining in the game.

After the teams made free throws for a 59-all tie, the game changed. Watson hit a shot after an offensive rebound then Bobb's steal on the inbound pass, led to a three-point play and a 64-59 lead with 1:35 left in the game.

The Whippets got as close as 66-65 on a 3 by Issaiah Ramsey with 20 seconds left, but Bobb split two free throws on the ensuing possession for a two-point lead.

Shelby had a chance to tie it, as Bryson Baker was fouled on an offensive putback. However, he missed both free throws, Watson split a pair with three seconds left, and Nichols stole the inbounds pass at halfcourt to seal the win.

"My coach challenged me to be aggressive, and when you have that type of support, anything is possible," noted Watson, who had 20 of his team-high 26 points in the second half.

Maysville finished 23-of-50 from the field, 9-of-23 on 3s and 13-of-15 at the line.

Shelby coach Greg Gallaway felt his team contested shots, but credited the Panthers for making them.

"They're an incredible team, and I was proud of the way our guys battled," he said. "We couldn't help like we wanted since they have several guys who can shoot it. I felt we contested most of their shots, but they made them. That's a credit to their team."

Strong start gave Panthers a chance

Maysville struggled out of the gates in both regional games, but the Panthers understood that couldn't happen in the state semifinal.

Nichols ensured that, hitting three 3s and scoring 11 of his 18 points in the first quarter, which was tied at 18 after one.

"Before we took the floor, we talked about having a fast start," Nichols said. "We gave them a hard punch out of the gate, and we carried that the whole game."

Bobb, Nichols and Watson combined for all 15 second-quarter points, with Bobb hitting a fadeaway jumper before the horn to bring the Panthers within 36-33 at the half.

"We had bad first halves that ruined our energy, but we knew we had to put together 32 minutes," remarked Bobb, who finished with 22 points. "All season, teams couldn't take me away because we had other guys who could go for 20 each. It was team basketball."

Brown praised his team for rising to the moment.

"These guys have worked so hard, and they say practices are harder than games," Brown said. "We have a saying that how good you do anything is how good you do everything. Our guys found a way to make plays with the game on the line."

bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Game Changers: Maysville makes plays late to reach state title game