Quick start propels Cavaliers past Panthers

Paulding’s Briana Townley got things rolling after the team only scored 3 points in the quarter. More pictures at westbendnews.net

VAN WERT – Coldwater jumped out to a 17-2 lead after 1 quarter and the Lady Cavaliers never looked back in coasting to a 56-33 win over Paulding in Division III girls sectional basketball action at Lincolnview High School Wednesday night.

The Cavaliers scored the first 12 points of the contest before posting the 17-2 advantage after 1 quarter.

Paulding did make things interesting in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 29-16 late in the first half before Coldwater pushed the margin to 32-16 at the break.

The Lady Cavaliers then took a 41-23 lead at the end of 3 periods.

With the result already known, the Panthers did have a late game highlight when senior guard Audrey Manz hit her 42nd three-point field goal with 18 seconds left in the contest.

That shot tied the school record and pulled Manz even with Paulding graduate Sierra McCullough for 3-point field goals made in a season.

Manz topped the Paulding efforts with 10 points while also adding 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in her final game.

Cassidy Posey, another senior on the roster, wrapped up her career with 6 points, 4 rebounds and an assist. The last senior, forward Kaylen Hale, chipped in 4 points while adding 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.

Briana Townley recorded 5 points and picked up 6 rebounds for Paulding while Sydney McCullough chipped in 5 points, 2 rebounds and a steal.

Paulding closed its season with a record of 7-16.