Photo by Kristin Mazgaj Wheeling Central’s Addie Payton fires a 3-pointer Friday during the Maroon Knights’ Class AA state semifinals matchup against the Williamstown Yellowjackets.

CHARLESTON — The second half spelled trouble for the No. 3 Wheeling Central Maroon Knights on Friday in their WVSSAC State Tournament Semifinal matchup vs. No. 2 Williamstown, as the Knights saw a 10-point halftime lead turn into a 53-42 loss by the final buzzer inside the Charleston Coliseum.

Central carried a 36-26 lead into the locker rooms at the break, but was outscored 27-6 in the second half to send the Yellowjackets into Saturday’s Class AA title game, set for 12:15 p.m.

“We got shots that we wanted and they just didn’t fall. That’s basketball,” Wheeling Central coach Roberta Olejasz said. “It’s a game of runs. Williamstown’s defense is stifling.”

Wheeling Central shot 13-25 in the first half (52%) and made four of six 3-point attempts, including a 3-3 half from deep by senior Addie Payton.

In the second half, the Maroon shot 3-22 (13.6%) and did not connect on any of their seven 3-point attempts.

“Williamstown did a good job slowing us down in the second half,” Olejasz said. “We executed our game plan pretty well, but couldn’t hit shots in the second half.”

By the end of the third quarter, Williamstown had taken the lead, 42-40.

Gracie Montgomery and Maggie Frye each had 12 points to lead Williamstown.

Addie Payton scored 16 points to lead Wheeling Central, while Erin Maxwell scored 10 with seven rebounds. Bella Fitzsimmons and Seneca Heller each scored six, Fitzsimmons pulling down eight rebounds, tied for a game-high.

The Maroon Knights will say farewell to an impact senior class, including Heller, Payton, Maxwell and Haley Severns, all starters for this year’s squad.

“We’ve been down here four years and that’s the biggest blessing,” Maxwell said. “With these girls, it’s been the best ride.”

Williamstown’s opponent tomorrow will be No. 1 James Monroe after they defeated No. 5 Wyoming East 49-30 in Class AA’s opposite semifinal.