Bath girls win home holiday tournament

BATH TOWNSHIP - When Bath's Stefanie Mauk hit her first shot in Tuesday's championship game of the McDonald's Holiday Tournament, Lima Senior had to feel a little concerned.

Mauk scored 12 of her game-high 26 points in the first quarter and Bath rolled to a convincing 77-38 victory over the Spartans to win its home tournament. Coming into the game, Mauk needed 15 points to join the 1,000-point club.

In the consolation game, Lima Central Catholic pulled away from Bluffton early, en route to a 67-34 victory.

Stefanie Mauk also pulled down 10 rebounds and made four steals at the defensive end. Nicki Hopkins made five 3-pointers for 15 points and Stefanie's twin sister, Rachel, added 10 points and three steals.

Tuesday's loss to Bath (7-0) was Lima Senior's first blemish of the season (5-1).

Lima Senior coach Vincent Halliday said his team just never got into its flow against Bath.

"What can I say ... I wish we would have played a little better, but they played hard," Halliday said. "(But) 5-1 ... I can't complain. They played hard for all four quarters and that's all I can ask."

Kiara Crockett led Lima Senior with 10 points and six rebounds from her point-guard position.

Bath coach Greg Mauk said it was nice to see Stefanie Mauk perform at such a high level in this tournament.

"It was nice to see Stefanie play like her old self tonight," coach Mauk said. "She's been battling through some nagging injuries and to see her play this well was nice to see."

Stefanie Mauk said hitting the milestone was not her first priority.

"It's a nice accomplishment," she said. "But I was just focused on coming out and beating another Lima area team and winning the tournament."

Bath got off to a quick start, hitting 9-of-15 from the field in the first quarter, en route to a 26-13 lead at the end of one.

By halftime, Bath pushed its lead out to 48-26. By intermission, Stefanie Mauk had recorded 19 points and six boards. The Spartans were held to 7-of-22 shooting in the first half.

Bath extended its lead to 64-34 by the end of the third quarter. Bath's defensive pressure helped forced 28 turnovers.

Coach Mauk said despite the lopsided score, Lima Senior is a quality opponent.

"It kind of snowballed for them (second half)," he said. "Lima Senior will win some games this year."

Lima Central Catholic 67, Bluffton 34

Liz DePalma led Lima Central Catholic (4-5) with 18 points and nine rebounds, while teammate Danielle Taflinger scored 13 points, including two 3-pointers as the Thunderbirds rolled to a lopsided victory in the consolation game.

Both Jaime Lugibihl and Jonica Schmutz scored 10 points apiece to lead Bluffton (3-6).

LCC led 37-19 at halftime. They came out in the third quarter and outscored the Pirates 20-3.

LCC coach Bill Taflinger said he told his team it was important to come out in the second half and play as strong as they did in the first.

"Tonight was just the opposite of last night," he said. "I told them that we needed to come out in the second half and score right away."