DAYTON, Ohio — New Knoxville played its usual tough defense on its way to a 39-28 win over Cincinnati Country Day in the first OHSAA Girls Basketball Division IV state semifinal.
The Rangers, holding opponents to 25.8 points per game heading into the Final Four, limited the Nighthawks to 10 of 28 shooting (26.3%), and only two points in the second quarter.
Ellie Gabel was the leading scorer, with 12 points, while Carsyn Henschen added 10. Elizabeth Zimmerman led Country Day with nine, followed by her older sister, Sarah, with eight.
For New Knoxville, it will be an opportunity to win the school’s first ever girls state basketball title. The boys—coached by Dan Hegemier, brother of Tim the girls’ head coach—took the Rangers’ boys to the 2008 state championship. New Knoxville is seeking to join Delphos St. John’s, Fort Recovery and Marion Local as schools in the Midwest Athletic Conference to win both boys and girls basketball state championships.
Tim Hegemier would be going out on a high note, as he’s announced plans to retire at the end of the season, making Saturday his final game.
The MAC has won 74 state titles in OHSAA girls’ sports all-time, including 13 in basketball. The Rangers won the Division IV volleyball championship in November, played just 15 minutes away from the University of Dayton Arena, at the Nutter Center on Wright State’s campus.
New Knoxville will try to add to those numbers Saturday at 5:15 p.m. in the Division IV state championship game, which you can see on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App. Coverage begins at 5 p.m. with OHSAA Championship Gameday, hosted by MaryLee Melendez and Dave Cecutti.
