Photo by Kristin Mazgaj Wheeling Central’s Haley Severns goes up for a rebound inside the Charleston Coliseum on Wednesday during the Maroon Knights’ state tournament game against Wayne.

CHARLESTON — Wednesday morning inside the Charleston Coliseum, the Wheeling Central Maroon Knights were presented with their first test of the WVSSAC Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament– and passed with flying colors.

No. 3 Wheeling Central started their time in the state tournament with a decisive victory over No. 6 Wayne, 71-35 to advance to Friday’s Class AA semifinals, where the Maroon Knights will play the winner of No. 2 Williamstown vs. No. 7 Philip Barbour.

“We had plenty of time to prepare for this team,” Wheeling Central head coach Roberta Olejasz said. “They were locked in and play so well together. They all like each other and enjoy playing together.”

Impressive performances dotted the Wheeling Central roster Wednesday, with Seneca Heller, Erin Maxwell and Bella Fitzsimmons each finishing with double-doubles, and Haley Severns scoring a game-high 20 points.

Severns also grabbed nine rebounds and tallied two steals and two blocks.

“She was absolutely huge tonight,” Olejasz said of Severns’ performance. “And that’s a really good team. I mean, that’s a really good– we just came out ready to go.”

Central did indeed start fast against the Pioneers, last year’s Class AAA state champions who were moved down to AA this season. Wheeling Central got off to a 22-6 lead after the first quarter, Maxwell scoring inside at the buzzer. Their lead stood 42-18 at halftime.

“When we step out ready to go, defense leads to offense,” Olejasz said. “If we play defense the way we played defense today, the offense is kick started. When we’re locked in, we’re really good. We practice hard every day.”

Maxwell and Fitzsimmons were monsters on the boards for the Maroon. Maxwell scored 16 points with 15 rebounds, and Fitzsimmons scored 15 points with 16 rebounds. As a team, Central outrebounded the Pioneers 50-31.

Heller finished with 11 points and 10 assists for a double-double of a different kind.

“She did finish with the double-double, 11 points and 10 assists,” Olejasz said. “She never stops. That energy seems to be infectious. She’s got such a high motor. Defensively she causes problems. I think she’s the best point guard in double-A for sure.”

Wayne’s Jaycelyn Sammons led her team with 14 points and six rebounds.

Wheeling Central held the Pioneers to 13-50 shooting (26%) and forced 13 turnovers. The Maroon committed just five turnovers of their own against 18 assists.

Wheeling Central’s semifinal outing is set for 9:30 a.m. on Friday.