Stow Girls Basketball Starts Off Regular Season Strong with 54-28 Win over Perry
Stow Girls Basketball Starts Off Regular Season Strong with 54-28 Win over Perry
In the season opening girls basketball matchup between the visiting Stow-Munroe Falls Bulldogs and the Perry Panthers, it was a great opportunity for both teams to see who they are going into the regular season.
The Bulldogs of Stow-Munroe Falls are looking to improve off their 18-6 2022-23 season, falling short in the Division I Northeast 2 Sectional Finals against Green. With most of the Varsity members returning, Head Coach Bob Podges is looking to once again lead the Lady Bulldogs to another consecutive Suburban League National Conference title and potentially a state title.
The Panthers of Massillon Perry are looking to improve off their 10-14 2022-23 season, falling short in the Division I Northeast 3 District Semifinals to Solon. With Perry having most of their members returning, Head Coach Beth Sternberg is hoping for improvement in the regular season.
The first half of play ended with a Stow 24-16 lead, after a 15 point explosion in the 2nd quarter led by Center Kennady Dodds 8 points following a 9-6 1st quarter. Dodds led the half for the Bulldogs with 9 points, followed by older sister Forward Kadence Dodds’ 7 points. Perry Guard Marlee Pireu led the Panthers with 8 points in the 1st half.
In the second half, it was all Stow basketball, showing why they’re a 7 time consecutive conference champion team. The Bulldogs finished the night on a 30 point second half, led by the Dodds siblings combining for 16 points. Despite the effort from the Panthers to claw their way back in the game, the Bulldogs overcame the Panthers 54-28. Kennady Dodds led the Bulldogs with 20 points, followed by Kadence Dodds’ 12 points and Guard Anna Hurst’s 8. Marlee Pireu led the Panthers with 14 points on the night, followed Guard Allyson Mattox’s 8 points.
What’s Next?
The Bulldogs will advance to 1-0 to start the season, returning back to Stow for an early rival matchup against the Explorers of Hudson at James G. Tyree Gymnasium on Wednesday, tip off at 7pm. The Panthers, falling to 0-1, will stay at home to face off against the Generals of Wooster at Perry Gymnasium on Wednesday, tip off at 7pm.