Photo/KRISTIN MAZGAJ SHADYSIDE SENIORS Baylee Wach and Tory Hendershot (3) share a moment together after the Tigers saw their season come to an end, 58-50, at the hands of McDonald. in the Division IV regional championship game Saturday night at Perry High School in Massillon. Each had an illustrious career for the Tigers, scoring a combined 2,860 points. The senior class, which also included Kamdyn Elerick, finished with 79 victories, two district titles and a 2019 appearance in the state tournament.

MASSILLON — It was by no means the script that Shadyside had written for itself.

Unfortunately, in tournament basketball, the best-laid plans sometimes go astray.

Such was the case Saturday night when the Tigers had visions of cutting the nets down inside the Perry Fieldhouse at Massillon Perry High School to celebrate their fifth regional championship.

As has been the case in the four prior Shadyside appearances in the regional tournament, the evening ended in tears. But, after nine consecutive wins in the regional, the Tigers’ tears were those of disappointment as their season came to an end, 58-50, at the hands of a talented McDonald squad.

“We fought, played hard, never gave up and had some opportunities, but give McDonald credit they made plays,” a disappointed Shadyside head coach Serge Gentile said. “I am so proud of this group (of girls). I love them to death.”

Shadyside, which finishes the season with an impressive 21-5 mark, simply found itself in too deep of a hole after falling behind by 15 points at halftime.

McDonald’s veteran and fundamentally sound squad was able to negate some of the things that Shadyside had been able to do throughout the tournament and season. First and foremost, the Blue Devils handled the pressure. They committed only three, first-half turnovers. Secondly, they played sound half-court defense, making life difficult for the Tigers on the offensive end.

“They’re tenacious and they’re skilled,” Gentile said. “They’re going to be a tough out (at the state tournament). We dug in and wanted to try to match their intensity.”

Shadyside absolutely turned it up a notch on both ends. But, when the third quarter ended, that only reflected a three-point gain on the scoreboard.

Each time the Tigers seemed to be gaining some traction and ready to make a run senior Molly Howard, who is signed to play for Indiana University of Pennsylvania next season, delivered a bucket. She finished with 16 in the game, but hit a huge three in the third.

She also closed the third with a bucket to push the Blue Devils lead back to 12 at 49-37.

Meanwhile, Shadyside had all five starters score in the third. Junior Paige Gorby scored four in the third, all of which came from the line.

The Tigers got within nine twice in the period, but never got any closer.

“I thought we matched their intensity in the third, but we just came up short,” Gentile said.

Shadyside again inched within nine in the fourth on a Gorby bucket, but Howard again put the brakes on any possible Tigers’ momentum with a bucket of her own. And after a Shadyside turnover, the lead swelled back to 13 on a Sophia Costantino goal.

McDonald actually allowed the Tigers to remain as close as they did because it knocked in just 3-of-13 from the line in the final chapter.

Shadyside, which isn’t deep team by any means, had simply ran out of gas and couldn’t capitalize.

“You can script it better but this (season) and their careers are about as perfect of a script as you can write, especially for these seniors,” Gentile said. “I told the girls they should be proud. It’s extremely difficult to get to (the regional final). It’s extremely difficult to even get to the regional. They should be extremely proud of the effort they put forth this year.”

Gorby led the Tigers, who were once again balanced, with 13 points and completed the double-double with 11 rebounds.

Not only does the loss signify the end of the season for Shadyside, it also brings to a close the careers of three seniors — Kamdyn Elerick, Tory Hendershot and Baylee Wach. They finished their careers with an impressive 79-24 record, two district titles, a state tourney appearance in 2019 and they’re waiting to see how the OVAC Class 2A race shakes out in the coming weeks.

“That’s a heck of a group of kids who can play,” Gentile said. “I am going to miss them just as people. It’s going to be tough not seeing them in practice every day.”

Hendershot and Wach both finished with 12 points in the game. The unquestioned leaders of the team put forth brilliant careers in the Orange and Black that resulted in 1,468 points and 222 career 3-pointers for Wach and 1,392 career points for Hendershot.

“If they ever need anything I’ll always be there for these (seniors),” Gentile said. “I am not sure if they’re looking to play at the next level, but if they need anything, I’ll do anything I can for them.”

Scoring:

MCDONALD (58) — Tuchek 3, 1-4 7; Wolford 3, 2-2 10; Stiet 0, 0-0 0; Mo. Howard 7, 1-2 16; Ma. Howard 1, 1-6 3; Costantino 6, 4-7 17; Lewis 2, 0-0 5; Totals: 22, 9-21 58. SHADYSIDE (50) — T. Hendershot 6, 0-0 12; Botn 2, 1-4 5; Elerick 0, 3-4 3; Gorby 3, 7-10 13; Wach 4, 3-3 12; M. Hendershot 2, 0-0 5; Totals: 17, 14-21 50.

3-point goals: M — Wolford (2), Mo. Howard, Costantino, Lewis. S — Wach, M. Hendershot.