Watkins Memorial girls taking show on road

PATASKALA - One shot from Lauren Denison had plenty riding on it.

The buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the sophomore Jan. 9 gave the Watkins Memorial girls basketball team a thrilling 37-35 victory against rival Licking Heights and the Warriors sole possession of first place in the Licking County League-Buckeye Division heading into the second half of the season.

Denison's shot had extra importance because the Warriors now must do much of their work on the road. They are in the midst of five consecutive games away from home.

The LCL-Buckeye has been topsy-turvy as expected, and the Warriors now are the hunted. A trip to Granville awaits on Friday, and they then play Licking Valley at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday as both opponents look to knock Watkins off its perch.

Watkins can credit its favorable position to its improved play in close games. The Warriors beat both Granville and Valley in back-and-forth contests earlier this season, and they are 5-2 in games decided by single digits.

The Warriors have been led by their big three so to speak.

Taylor Looney's 14 points per game and Denison's 11 each rank among the LCL leaders. Emily Irwin stuffs the stat sheet with eight  points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals per game, the latter two marks near the top of the LCL.

Coach Jayme Gates has received strong play inside from Elizabeth Romshe, and Gates has not been afraid to use a host of talented young players in key moments.

Defense has been the Warriors' calling card. They allowed just four points to Heights in the fourth quarter, rallying from a small deficit.

Watkins' stretch away from home continues with trips to Westerville Central on Jan. 27 and LCL-Cardinal leader Utica on Jan. 31. The Warriors return home to play Lakewood on Feb. 2 when they will have their Shoot for the Cure night.

ksnyder@gannett.com

740-328-8556

Twitter: @newarkurt