WATERFORD - One season came to a close for the Warren Lady Dragons Thursday in Waterford.
Now, it's time for the second season to begin.
In its last tuneup for District 10 Class AAA playoffs, Warren overcame a shaky first-half, handing the homestanding Bisons a 52-36 loss at Fort LeBoeuf High School.
The Lady Dragons finish the season with a 15-7 record and will open the Class AAA playoffs next week.
The opening round matchup will be a difficult one with either Franklin (19-2) or Hickory (19-2) the likely opposition.
"We have our work to do in order to prep for the next game," said Warren girls coach Lisa Ruhlman. "We have a week to do so. We had a nice first quarter tonight and then struggled in the second. But we finished well with a nice second half."
Ruhlman also credited the offensive play of Kristie Reynolds, who "played her best offensive game of the season."
Warren opened the game with hot shooting, building a 19-13 edge. The Dragons went cold in the second stanza, however, as Fort LeBoeuf closed to within three by halftime.
Any chance of a Bisons upset was wiped out in the third quarter as the Dragons held the hosts scoreless and pushed the lead to 35-22.
Three Warren players finished in double digits with Jaimie Eaton and Emily Sherman each depositing 13 points. Reynolds finished with 10 and Alexa Bupp scored nine. Sabrina Anderson pulled down seven rebounds, Kristin Hultquist had seven blocks and Sherman had five steals.
Warren's opening round playoff opponent will be announced on Saturday.
Warren dropped the junior varsity game, 33-23. McKenzie Merenick's eight points were high for the Dragons.
Though the District 10 Class AAA playoff teams haven't been announced, Warren will likely advance as the fourth-place team out of Region 6 with a 9-5 region record -?behind Mercyhurst Prep (13-0), General McLane (11-3) and North East (10-3).
WARREN (52): Kristie Reynolds 3 2-2 10, Jaimie Eaton 5 2-2 13, Sabrina Anderson 0 0-0 0, Kristin Hultquist 1 3-4 5, Taylor Mineweaser 1 0-0 2, Sam Bevevino 0 0-0 0, Alexa Bupp 4 0-0 9, Emily Sherman 6 1-2 13, Totals: 20 8-10 52
FORT LEBOEUF (36): Diemer 2 0-0 6, Surrena 0 2-2 2, Young 3 0-0 6, Kennelly 6 0-2 13, Orzechowski 0 2-2 2, Beane 2 3-4 7, Totals: 13 7-10 36
Warren 19 6 10 17 - 52
Fort LeBoeuf 13 9 0 14 - 36
3-pointers: W- Reynolds 2, Eaton, Bupp; F- Diemer 2, Kennelly
Junior varsity game
WARREN (23): Ashlee McClure 0 0-0 0, Megan Smoulder 1 0-0 2, Amy Castagnino 1 5-12 7, McKenzie Merenick 3 1-2 8, Lexi Ednie 0 0-0 0, Brittni Merenick 2 0-2 4, Brittany Massa 1 0-1 2, Totals: 8 6-17 23
FORT LEBOEUF (33): Brown 0 3-6 3, Patterson 1 0-2 2, Oberlander 1 3-7 6, Newell 2 0-0 4, Boyd 2 1-2 5, O'Neill 5 1-2 11, Cass 1 0-0 2, Totals: 12 8-23 33
Warren 5 3 9 6 - 23
Fort LeBoeuf 13 7 3 10 - 33
3-pointers: W- M. Merenick; F- Oberlander
---
Conneaut Valley 40, Youngsville 19
CONNEAUTVILLE - Youngsville finishes 10-10 overall after a 40-19 loss to Region 3's first-place team, Conenaut Valley, on Thursday.
Despite the lopsided loss, the Lady Eagles finish with four more wins than last year and 10 more than two seasons ago.
Youngsville was 6-14 overall last year - without a region win, and 0-22 in the 2009-10 season.
"I think we've improved a lot," said Youngsville coach Allison Kitchel. "The girls are all bummed because it was their last game and it wasn't that close, but I think it's been a good season."
Amber Fox, Lindsey Lyon and Cierra Ohl are Youngsville's seniors, and have been there through the improvement.
Lyon led Youngsville with nine points against Conneaut Valley (19-3 overall, 12-0 in region). Youngsville finishes 3-9 in Region 3.
YOUNGSVILLE (19): Katie Gustafson 1 0-0 2, Katie Chuzie 4 0-0 8, Jess Jameson 0 0-0 0, Kennedy Cratty 0 0-0 0, Amber Fox 0 0-0 0, Lindsey Lyon 4 1-7 9. Totals 9 1-7 19.
CONNEAUT VALLEY (40) : Steigerwald 6 2-5 14, Hazen 2 2-4 6, Wood 0 2-2 2, Boyce 0 2-8 2, Baker 4 4-6 12, Casbohm 1 1-1 3, Shidemantle 0 1-2 1. Totals 13 14-28 40.
Youngsville 4 7 2 6 - 19
Conneaut Valley 8 10 14 8 - 40
3-pointers: None.