Balanced Buckeye attack secures 42-36 home win over Vermilion
Buckeye used a balanced scoring effort and a key fourth-quarter push to earn a 42-36 home win over Vermilion in girls basketball Thursday night at Buckeye High School.
The Bucks, who trailed 21-20 at halftime, outscored the Sailors 22-15 after the break, using timely perimeter shooting and steady free-throw shooting to close out just their second win of the season. Buckeye flipped a one-point deficit after three quarters into a two-possession cushion in the fourth, outscoring Vermilion 10-6 in the final eight minutes to seal the victory.
Ava Wolf led Buckeye with 9 points, knocking down a 3-pointer and going 2-for-2 at the line as part of a perimeter attack that featured five different players connecting from beyond the arc. Ava Piovarchy added 8 points, including a 3, while Molly Danilovic matched her with 7 points. Juliana Melillo (7 points) and Kendyl Dukarm (6) also chipped in, helping the Bucks overcome a rebounding deficit with efficient scoring across the lineup.
Buckeye trailed 8-0 in 3-point goals early in the season but matched Vermilion from distance on this night, with Piovarchy, Melillo and Wolf each hitting from long range. The Bucks turned several defensive stops into transition chances in the third quarter, when they posted a 12-9 edge to erase Vermilion’s 1-point halftime lead and go in front 32-30 heading to the fourth. From there, Buckeye’s defense limited the Sailors to just two field goals in the final period.
Vermilion was led by Jazlyn Rayl with 10 points, including one 3-pointer, while Emma Gebhardt added 8 points, all from the free-throw line. Morgan Frenk scored 9 points, and Joscelyn Alvarado finished with 7, also hitting from beyond the arc. The Sailors held a 32-28 advantage on the glass but could not convert that edge into enough second-chance scoring in the second half.
Buckeye’s 15 field goals to Vermilion’s 9 proved decisive. After the teams played to an 8-8 tie after one quarter, Vermilion’s 13-12 advantage in the second set up a tight, possession-by-possession second half in which the Bucks made more plays late.
With the win, Buckeye improves to 2-5, while Vermilion drops to 4-4. Buckeye also swept the night, as the junior varsity Bucks edged Vermilion 28-26.
Leading scorers:
Buckeye — Wolf 9, Piovarchy 8, Danilovic 7, Melillo 7
Vermilion — Rayl 10, Frenk 9, Gebhardt 8, Alvarado 7
