PATASKALA, Ohio -- Shooting woes and turnovers doomed Granville on Monday night. The Watkins Memorial Warriors (16-3) handed the Blue Aces (17-1) their first loss of the season in LCL action by a score of 40-27. With the win, Watkins Memorial took first place in the LCL-Blue division. 

The first quarter saw slow offensive starts for both teams. Watkins Memorial was content with running large chunks of time off of the clock in an attempt to pull Granville out of their 1-3-1 zone. Senior Olivia Perry opened up the game with five straight points for the Warriors giving them a lead they would never relinquish. 

Junior Ella Wigal scored Granville’s first basket with 5:51 left in the first, this would be their only basket in the quarter. A bucket by senior Alyssa Haynes would wrap up the first quarter, giving Watkins a 7-2 lead heading into the second quarter. 

The offensive struggles continued for the first ranked Blue Aces in the second quarter. Sophomore Harper Annarino drained a free throw before junior Cameryn Wheeler connected from three for the Warriors. Wigal sank a three midway through the quarter, their only field goal in the frame. 

Watkins ended the second on a 7-0 run thanks to a layup by senior Alexia Gartner, a layup by senior Kalleigh Rennie and a three by Gartner from the right wing. The last three gave the Warriors a 10 point lead (17-7) with two frames to play. 

Granville continued to struggle offensively and Watkins burned minutes off of the clock at a time. The Warriors held the Blue Aces to just one field goal in the third quarter, a repeat of the first two. Junior Ella Schneider finished a layup through contact for Granville but Perry scored five points in the quarter for Watkins, stretching their lead even further. With one quarter to play and an upset in their sights, the Warriors led 24-10.

Wigal stepped up her game in the fourth quarter and brought some much needed energy to the floor for the Blue Aces. The junior started the quarter with a steal and score but Perry responded with a three from the left corner. Four straight free throws from Gartner and Rennie pushed the lead to 17. 

Wigal converted from three on the right wing followed by another steal and score and sank one of two free throw attempts for a 6-0 Granville run. Gartner cut the run with one free throw on a one and one attempt. Wigal scored another basket on a right handed drive to cut the lead to 10. 

Granville elected to start fouling and Watkins Memorial struggled but converted enough to maintain their lead and win the game. In the last 3:19 of the game, the Warriors shot 6/14 from the line. Sophomore Aliyah Moore sank a three pointer late in the quarter and Schneider made a layup but it was too little, too late for the Blue Aces. Granville shot 2-12 from the free throw line for the game. 

Perry paced the victorious Warriors with 13 and was supported by Gartner with 11. Wigal scored 16 in the loss for the Blue Aces.

Let’s take a look at Monday’s top performers.

Alexia Gartner (5’8 G / Watkins Memorial / 2022) - Gartner did exactly what was needed from her on Monday night. The senior, along with sophomore Cameryn Wheeler, masterfully controlled the tempo of the entire game, throwing Granville off. She facilitated well, passed the ball efficiently and scored when needed. She hit a big-time three pointer at the end of the second quarter to build the momentum heading into halftime and a layup to seal the game. She extended several plays on the offensive glass and played solid defense. She was a difference maker for Watkins Memorial. 

Olivia Perry (5’7 G / Watkins Memorial / 2022) - Perry was the offensive spark that the Warriors needed in the first quarter. She scored five straight points, including one three, giving Watkins the momentum they needed to get going. She made a big impact in the third quarter as well, scoring another five points. Early in the fourth, she hit a second three from the left side. Her presence in the corner played a big role in stretching Granville’s 1-3-1 zone.

Ella Wigal (5’11 G / Granville / 2023) - Despite Granville’s offensive struggles, Wigal played her tail off. The junior did everything in her power to make a game of it. On the wing of their 1-3-1, Wigal forced close to a dozen turnovers, many of which led to good looks on the other end. She mainly scored at the rim on drives but also knocked down a three pointer from the right wing. She has a solid handle on the ball and is a relentless rebounder. If Wigal continues to play this hard and the rest of the Blue Aces follow, they will be tough to beat the rest of the season.