Teays Valley shut down Chillicothe's Lady Cavs in the first
quarter of play and never looked back en route to a 68-25 win in the first round of tournament play,
Saturday.

The Lady Vikings used both an up-tempo pace and a height advantage to lead 18-0 after the first period as
the Cavs had trouble finding the basket. Chillicothe was 0-12 from the field in the first eight minutes.

Coach Shawn Blue said after the game he thought nerves may have played a part in the slow start for his team “All the inexperience we’ve had the last couple of years with our freshman kids, I think they were just a little bit in awe of Teays Valley
because they’re big and strong, and they put all kinds of pressure on us.”

Trying to break that press led to the loss of Jenna Holton, who reinjured her right knee while attempting a
sideline pass on a press breaker. Holton’s game ending injury came with 6:28 left in the second period less than 30 seconds after Kayla Keener had made the Cavs’ first basket of the game.

Chillicothe trailed 33-9 at halftime, managing just 2 of 19 shots while the Vikings were running away.

Teays Valley made 8 three-pointers to the Cavs’ eight total field goals.

“We got in a hole early and then we lost Jenna… we did get a lot of experience, you go from zero wins to nine, so that’s a huge step. Ten of the girls are freshmen of the 16 we have… we’re still building at Chillicothe.”

While noting the youth in the Cavs program, Blue praised the efforts of his senior class and the character they played with all season long.

The Vikings’ Caitlin Cain
led all scorers with 20 points and Shelby battle added another 12 and Brooklyn
Wooten had 10 as Teays Valley shot 25 for 50 from the field and hit 10 of 18
free throws.

The Lady Vikings (15-6)
advance to face state ranked Columbus Northland, a 92-14 winner over Columbus Briggs in the Division 1 Central District second round Wednesday night at Pickerington Central High School.

Chillicothe (9-12) graduates five seniors in Alyssa Oates, Mindy Williams, Kaylee Wright, Sheyanne Helton, and Sam Claytor. 

CLICK HERE to hear the game podcast

CLICK HERE to hear the Shawn Blue postgame interview