Lady Dawgs are district champs – again
PHOTOS BY KATIE GOOD | Katie Good Photography (https://katiegoodphotography.mypixieset.com/)
The Dalton High School varsity girls basketball team poses for a photo after winning the District Championship.
By Ariel Stahler
DGKN sportswriter
For the sixth time in the past seven seasons, Dalton High School’s varsity girls basketball team has earned the title of district champions.
This season, the No. 3 seed Lady Dawgs had to upset No. 1 Richmond Heights in the Division IV Northeast 3 district final game to claim the championship and punch their ticket to regionals.
“Congratulations to our girls,” said Dalton’s head coach Katie Miller. “They played an outstanding game. We are getting strong minutes from each player.”
Dalton defeated No. 2 Waterloo 43-31 in the district semifinal game Feb. 22. Kylee Johnson led the Lady Dawgs with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists. Ella Lunsford recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. She also passed four assists. Sarah Witmer finished with eight points. Maddy West helped out with seven points, two boards and two assists. Sydney Geiser totaled three points, three rebounds and one assist. Kendall Maibach grabbed eight rebounds and scored two points.
The Lady Dawgs upset No. 1 Richmond Heights 41-39 in the district final game Feb. 26 at Norwayne High School. Lunsford was spectacular with 21 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Johnson and Grace Dorffer both recorded eight points and five rebounds. West added three points, three boards and one assist. Witmer had one point, one rebound and two assists.
Miller noted the strength her seniors have brought to the team and the positive impact they have made on their teammates.
“We have six seniors who have dedicated a lot of time to our program during the offseason and season,” Miller said. “They stepped up, led our team and now have another opportunity to compete at regionals. We are very proud of all of our girls and look forward to preparing for a talented Springfield team.”
Dalton will face Springfield in the Region 13 regional semifinal game March 2.