NO CAGING THEM
SOUTH CENTRE TWP. — Danville coach Wayne Renz knew his team had a tough draw to begin things in the District 4 Class 4A playoffs.
Central Columbia proved that notion to be true, coming out of a Renz timeout midway through the second quarter to run away with a 61-22 victory.
With the win, the Blue Jays advance to take on Shamokin, which won 30-20 over Mifflinburg. The game's date, time and location are to be determined.
Danville, meanwhile, finished the season 9-14.
With the Blue Jays (21-3) up 19-9, Renz called a full timeout in an attempt to slow down the three-time defending District 4 champions. Instead, the breather worked wonders for Central as it went on a 15-0 run to close out the half — stretching it to 20-0 early in the third quarter.
"They play so well together and they're so difficult to slow down. At that point, we just had to get something going on offense by moving the ball and opening some passing lanes," Renz said. "They just make everything difficult, it's almost like you're playing six people."
Emmie Rowe sure looked that way during the ensuing stretch run. She often had the ball in her hand under the hoop, coming away with foul calls and getting sent to the line four times. She went 5-for-8, helping her post all 11 of her points before halftime.
She also came away with a steal under the Jays' basket, dishing the ball out to Haley Bull for a wide-open 3-pointer — her first of two. Moments later, Caitlyn Weatherill got in on the fun, notching a steal of her own just past halfcourt and taking it herself for a layup.
It was just the beginning for Weatherill, who finished with a game-high 13 points — 11 after halftime with nine coming via the 3-pointer.
The defensive takeaways were all by design with what Jays coach Ryan Novak wanted the team to do during that same timeout.
"[I wanted them] to keep the pressure up and keep doing what we do," he said. "We wanted to clean some things up on the back end where we aren't giving up some layups. ... We wanted to move on the flighted ball and into our rotation to get some steal opportunities to figure out our offense against their half-court defense."
The Jays made life difficult for the Ironmen offense all evening, holding them to five or fewer points — including none in the fourth — in three quarters. Danville's best frame was secured just minutes into the third when it scored its first three field goals, including a layup from Grace Everett to end Central's 20-point streak. They kept pace with the Jays in that frame.
For much of the night, though, the Ironmen were seen trying to make deep shots, mainly from beyond the arc. They just couldn't get them to fall to their liking, getting four all night with Ella DeWald accounting for half. She posted a team-high eight points.
"Our team didn't really shoot that well from three all year, but to win this game, we had to make some," Renz said. "I wanted to give the girls the freedom to shoot the ball and I thought we took some good looks but they just didn't go in. [The Jays] just didn't stop going in."
Central finished with nine 3-pointers. Alyx Flick set the tempo early, coming away with a pair of steals in the game's first minute and translating them into five quick points -- a 3-pointer and long two -- en route to finishing with 13.
"Alyx is a four-year starter and she plays like it. She's the heart and soul of our offense and defense — we go if she goes," Novak said. "It was nice to see her make some shots and build some confidence because the team clearly got going when she did tonight."
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