GREENVILLE – Greenville seniors Sara Loudy and Jayda Lyons played their final game on the Greenville Senior High School hardwood in memorable fashion, helping the Lady Wave battle back from a 12-point first-quarter deficit to earn a dramatic 40-37 Miami Valley League victory over West Carrollton.
“We found a way,” said first-year veteran coach Shane Hillard. “I told them in the locker room we made some really bonehead turnovers. I keep telling them, can you imagine how good you could be if we stopped the bonehead turnovers.”
“Other than that, we put ourselves in great spots,” he added. “We play hard, we defend well, and what we proved tonight—the adversity, how we carried ourselves, and just kept fighting. We could have laid down and said it’s not our night, but that’s not what we’re about, and it’s not what we do.”
West Carrollton came out firing, knocking down three first-quarter 3-pointers, four two-point baskets, and going a perfect 3-for-3 at the free-throw line to build a 20-10 lead after one period.
Despite the early hole, Hillard remained confident.
“When we were down 12, I was fine—we’re going to be OK,” Hillard said. “They’re not going to continue to make shots like this all night. We defend too well. But the turnovers kept compiling, and then I got a little nervous in the fourth quarter. Kudos to West Carrollton—they’ve gotten better and changed up some defenses. We just have to slow down with the basketball.”
Greenville began its climb in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 24-17 before a Lyons basket in the paint and a steal leading to a Megan Loudy layup pulled the Lady Wave within 24-21 at halftime. Megan Loudy scored five points in the period to spark the rally.
The Lady Pirates edged the third quarter 10-9 to maintain a 34-30 lead entering the final frame, with Lyons scoring six points to keep Greenville within striking distance.
West Carrollton still led 37-34 with four minutes remaining before the Lady Wave delivered the decisive surge. Megan Loudy drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key to tie the game at 37-37 with 3:23 left. Moments later, Sara Loudy converted a steal into a go-ahead layup at the 2:53 mark, giving Greenville a 39-37 advantage. Aubrey Baumgardner added a free throw with 15 seconds remaining to seal the conference win.
Greenville introduced its seventh- and eighth-grade middle school teams—something Hillard said reflects the program’s growing foundation.
“This was a good example of how to battle through adversity and do it the right way,” Hillard said. “No attitudes, nobody feeling sorry for themselves—we just kept battling. You’re not going to play perfectly every night, but you can find a way to win games, and that’s what we did. I’m proud of them, especially in front of the younger ones who get to see how we want to build this.”
Hillard also reflected on the impact of his two seniors.
“You can’t say enough about those two,” he said. “Watching their growth this year—on the floor and in confidence—has been one of the most rewarding things in my 20-plus years of coaching. Sara coming out of her shell, Jayda realizing how good she can be… I couldn’t ask for two better seniors to help lay the foundation. I’m going to miss the heck out of them.”
Looking ahead, Hillard is optimistic about the program’s future.
“We’re losing two key seniors, but we have a chance to be deeper next year and really do some damage,” he said. “I think these kids are going to put the work in this summer. They’ve seen what this can be, and they’re proud of it.”
Junior Megan Loudy led Greenville and all scorers with 14 points, while senior Jayda Lyons added 10 points in her final home appearance.
On a night honoring the past, the Lady Wave also provided a glimpse of the future—showing resilience, growth, and a foundation still being built.
BOX SCORE:
GREENVILLE 40, WEST CARROLLTON 37
GREENVILLE – M. Loudy 14, J. Lyons 10, A. Baumgardner 7, S. Loudy 4, M. Legenzoff 3, L. Force 2 – TOTALS 11 15-25 1 40
WEST CARROLLTON – G. Brisby 13, K. Cobbins 9, T. Arlour 6, M. Craig 4, A. Pittman 3, R. Nichoson 2 – TOTALS 11 6-8 3 37
3-POINTERS
Greenville 1 (M. Loudy 1)
West Carrollton 3 (K. Cobbins 3)
SCORE by QUARTERS
10-11-09-10 40 Greenville
20-04-10-03 37 West Carrollton
