BY YANEEK SMITH, BEACON CONTRIBUTOR

PORT CLINTON — Da’Cariya Lanier and Olivia Jackson have been Port Clinton’s top scorers all season long, and the duo scored a combined 13 points in the fourth quarter of the Redskins 47-35 win over Oak Harbor. Lanier scored seven points in the final eight minutes, and Jackson scored six.

Port Clinton (5-14, 3-7 Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division) led 28-25 after three quarters before its defense took over in the fourth quarter.

“It started defensively. We were able to apply some pressure, they took some tough shots and we got some steals and some easy looks,” said Port Clinton coach Lucas Kennedy. “They had to pressure us a little bit, and that gave Da’Cariya and Olivia some open lanes.”

The Rockets trailed 20-7 after the first quarter but held the ‘Skins scoreless in the second and tied the score at 20-20 at halftime. Port Clinton took back the lead at 28-25 following the third quarter.

Lanier finished with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, which helped her break the single-season record (40) of field goals from beyond the arc. She currently has 42. Jackson scored 16 points, including 12 in the second half.

Ryann Steinbrick scored 11 points to lead Oak Harbor and her twin sister, Riley, finished with 11 points.

“I just thought they played with more energy, they won the 50-50 balls. We were somewhat tired and I just have to give Port Clinton credit. Lucas did a great job having them prepared,” said Oak Harbor coach Adam Steinbrick. “Our girls continued to battle, we didn’t knock down shots, we shot about 20%, at the end of the day, they deserve credit because they forced us to shoot 20%. You just have to congratulate them on a good win.”

It was the final home game for Jackson and Brianna Rose.

“It was the perfect Senior Night, it couldn’t have gone any better,” said Kennedy. “I was really happy for the seniors. I was happy that the team was able to send the seniors our right.”

Kennedy had high praise for his two seniors.

“Olivia, her biggest thing is she’s really turned into a mentor for some of our younger guards and younger players. She’s taken Da’Cariya under her wing, she’s been able to teach Da’Cariya a lot. She’s able to pass down some of that knowledge,” said Kennedy. “Secondly, her play has been phenomenal. She’s really stepped up, she’s got a high basketball I.Q. She’s one that we can always count on to execute.

“Bri is one that has served the program for a long time, she was a manager for years and years and years. Her mom had to have the devastating conversation with her that she couldn’t be the manager during her middle school years. She’s someone that we could count on throughout her years of playing, we know she’d do what’s best for the program. For those two to stick it out when a lot of their classmates didn’t says a lot about them. It’s not an easy thing to do, when you sacrifice so much for four years.”

Norwalk 39, Port Clinton 37

Port Clinton rallied from a 9-point deficit to tie the game late but came up short when Kylie Moser scored on a layup with three seconds to give Norwalk a 39-37 victory.

Janel Jubak scored to give the Truckers a 37-35 lead with 1:43 to play and after the teams traded possessions, Claudia Gillum made a layup with 19 seconds to tie the score.

The Redskins trailed 30-21 after three quarters before going on their run.

“We had some turnovers, we just weren’t making great decisions. Norwalk made us pay. Both teams were playing really tough defense. They went on a little run and things almost got away from us in the third quarter. We were down nine points after the third quarter and we made a run in the fourth quarter — we got some steals and went out in transition,” said Port Clinton coach Lucas Kennedy. “We tied it up with under one minute to go and we were out of position defensively, and they were able to get an open look at the bucket right at the end.”

Port Clinton led 17-16 at halftime but Norwalk outscored the ‘Skins, 14-4 in the third quarter.

Da’Cariya Lanier scored 12 points to lead all scorers and Olivia Jackson finished with 10 points.

Jakub had nine points to lead the Truckers and Elena Barber scored seven points.

Woodmore 69, Oak Harbor 47

Woodmore showed why it’s one of the area’s best teams and defeated Oak Harbor 69-47.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 27-14 lead after one quarter and held a 40-29 lead at halftime.

Ryann Steinbrick led the Rockets with 18 points and Riley Steinbrick finished with 13 points.

Brooke Allen led all scorers with 35 points, including 25 in the first half.

Danbury 52, St. Mary CC 49

Danbury had one of its best games of the season and defeated St. Mary Central Catholic, 52-49.

The Lakers (6-12, 6-8 Sandusky Bay Conference River Division) shot 16-of-37 (43%) while the Panthers made 18-of-53 (34%) field goals. The difference in the game came at the free-throw line. Danbury made 18 free throws compared to SMCC’s six.

“This was a nice way to end the regular season,” said Danbury coach Dick Heller. “SMCC gave us a real battle. They are much better than their record. Our players did a nice job handling their pressure, especially towards the end of the game when SMCC made it close.”

Maria Maringer had 16 points to lead the Lakers and Gabrielle Maringer chipped in with 10.

Allie Weilnau had 18 points to lead all scorers.