Playing without senior guard Michelle Ackley due to an injured hand, (21-2) Adena struggled through most of the first three quarters, but that all changed in the fourth period in a 45-25 win over (13-11) Crooksville Thursday in the Division 3 District Semis at Waverly.

Leading only 17-11 at halftime and 30-22 after three quarters, the Lady Warriors finished on a 15-3 run to advance to the March 3rd District Championship at the Ohio University Convo.

SVC Player of the Year Jenny Grigsby scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds along with Natalie Cooper's 9 points aided the Warriors win. But, it might have been the play of senior forward Bethany Delong, getting a rare start due to Ackley's injury, that kept their head above water in the first half. Delong scored 9 points and hauled-in 7 rebounds, most of which came in the first half.

Shelbi Van Meter was the only Lady Ceramic in double figures with 11 points.

Adena shot 15/37 from the field- including 1/3 from the arc for 41%, but were also 15/21 at the charity stripe. Crooksville was an ice-cold 9/42 from the field- including 1/12 from the arc for 21%.

The Lady Warriors also controlled the glass with 32 rebounds to 20 for the Ceramics. One of the downsides for Adena was an uncharacteristic 15 turnovers.

(21-2) Adena plays Ironton for the district championship Sunday, March 3rd at 2pm. Ironton beat Peebles 37-34 in the other semifinal Thursday.