The McClain Lady Tigers varsity basketball team hosted the Peebles Lady Indians on Saturday afternoon for a foundation game that benefited the memorial of the late John Wend.
McClain put on a show for the crowd as they took down the Lady Indians by a score of 33-24.
The Lady Tigers were led by Maddy Stegbauer who totaled 17 points to help McClain to victory.
Both teams were had trouble controlling the ball and turnovers were abundant in this preseason contest.
Freshman Jaelyn Pitzer gave McClain a 7-5 lead after one quarter when she drained a contested three-point jumper at the buzzer.
McClain made it to the line nine times in the first half, including five free throws in the first quarter, but were unable to connect until Stegbauer converted one at the line with about six minutes to play in the half.
Stegbauer scored five straight points to open the second quarter before Kyla Burchett hit two free throws to contribute to 7-2 run to open the quarter.
The Lady Tigers took an 18-9 lead into half time thanks to the work of Stegbauer who added four more points in quick succession with two minutes to play in the half with two layups coming off of Lady Indian turnovers.
The Lady Indians of Peebles roared back in the second half outscoring the Lady Tigers 12-6 in the third quarter to cut the McClain lead to three at 24-21 entering the fourth quarter.
Burchett helped to salt away the game for McClain by going 4-4 at the line in the final period.
McClain head coach Jarrod Haines said after the game, “I grew up knowing who John Wend was. I looked up to him when I was little. My wife and I used his commentary to name our kids. I think that is a big Greenfield thing, people do that. Does it sound right in John Wend’s voice. He was just a great guy, so knowledgeable about sports and we definitely are going to miss him.”
“We just thought there couldn’t be a better contribution to make to a foundation then giving in honor of his name to his memorial,” said Haines.
Reach Ryan Applegate at 937-402-2572, or on Twitter @RCApplegate89.
