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One More: Newark uses 21-6 fourth quarter to surge past Hoban into first ever state championship

By Cameron Carter, 03/12/21, 7:15PM EST

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Gwen Stare and Maddie Vejsicky lead an all around team effort in state semifinal win

DAYTON, Ohio -- After trailing by one to start the fourth quarter, Newark flipped the switch and absolutely dominated Akron Archbishop Hoban in the final eight minutes of Friday's Division I state semifinal at the University of Dayton.

The Wildcats outscored Hoban 21-6 in the final frame, helping them advance to their first ever state championship game in a 55-41 victory.

Gwen Stare (16) and Maddie Vejsicky (13) combined for 29 points in the all around team effort that pushed the Wildcats past the Knights. 

In this semifinal matchup, Newark and Hoban went back and forth for three quarters before the Wildcats caught fire on both ends of the floor and pulled ahead, never looking back. Newark put their elite ball movement, defense, and energy on display and it propelled them to a comfortable victory. 

The first half was highly competitive as both teams played stellar defense and struggled to shoot the ball well. Despite shooting just 4-for-19 from deep in the first half, Newark took a 20-19 lead into the locker room. They got many of the shots they wanted early on, just weren’t able to see them fall.

The third quarter was more of the same, however Hoban was able to grab the lead through the play of star forward Lanae Riley. Riley had a game-high 19 points, nine of which came in that third quarter. She went to work in the paint after Newark’s Emma Shumate picked up her third foul and went to the bench. Hoban took a 35-34 lead into the last quarter of a highly contested game. 

The fourth quarter could not have been any more different however, as Newark stormed ahead through their defense and long range shooting. Stare got the run started after she made a mid range jumper and Shumate followed it up with a three. 

Mady Stottsberry and Peyton Lunsford also got in on the action with finishes around the rim. What really made Newark dominant to finish the game was their defense. With three fouls for the entire fourth quarter against a dominant post player, Shumate played some of the best defense we’ve seen.

The West Virginia commit fought for position, contested everything, walled up her girl, and even came up with a huge block, all while needing to not foul. It was a very impressive defensive performance to say the least. 

And as Newark opened up the lead, Stare put the nail in the coffin, knocking down two cold blooded threes in the final few minutes of the game. Up by nine, the Wildcats scored their final two baskets while playing keep away. 

Thanks to their dominant performance down the stretch, Newark eased their way past Hoban and now will make their first ever appearance in the state championship game. The Wildcats will finally have back their head coach J.R. Shumate in Saturday night’s game after two close calls against Dublin Coffman and Hoban. Newark will enjoy having back their leader when they look to take on the firepower that either Notre Dame team brings. 

Newark now awaits the winner of Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (26-0) and Toledo Notre Dame Academy (16-1). The state final will take place Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. back in UD Arena. 

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