CASTALIA, Ohio — Top-ranked Margaretta wasted little time showing why it sits atop Division VI. Kenadie Saylor buried a 3-pointer just 12 seconds into Wednesday’s sectional opener at the Iceberg, igniting an offensive avalanche as the Polar Bears overwhelmed Monroeville 80-17 in Ohio High School Athletic Association tournament play. Margaretta (22-1) scored 53 points in the first half and triggered a running clock for the entire second half in a 63-point victory that extended its winning streak to 14 games. The Polar Bears opened by making their first four shots and raced to a 30-9 lead after one quarter. Saylor poured in 10 of her 14 points in the opening period, setting the tone on Senior Night for a class that has anchored the program’s success. She finished 6-of-? from the field with one 3-pointer and added a free throw as part of her 14-point effort. Monroeville (6-17), seeded seventh in the district, briefly stayed within reach when Sophia Stieber converted two free throws to trim the margin to 20-9 with 2:38 left in the first quarter. Margaretta answered emphatically, ripping off the next 19 points to remove any suspense. A mini alley-oop from Ellyse Schaefer to Saylor pushed the lead to 34-9 early in the second quarter. By halftime, Margaretta had built a 53-11 cushion behind balanced scoring and relentless defensive pressure. The Polar Bears forced 32 turnovers and limited the Eagles to six made field goals in the game. Cassidy Lane, one of four seniors playing her final game on her home floor, added 14 points and six rebounds, finishing 5-of-? from the field and 4-of-5 at the line. Senior starters Ellyse Schaefer and Lillian Belak contributed six and four points, respectively, while helping control the tempo. Margaretta’s depth was on full display. All 11 players who suited up scored. Sophomore starter Ellaynah Schaefer tallied 10 points, including a 3-pointer. Addyson Fitzhum came off the bench for 10 points on 5-of-? shooting. Renna Keller knocked down two 3-pointers and scored six points. Ashlyn Kingsborough added six, Tessa Lane scored six, and Claire Conner and Alyssa Reinbolt chipped in two points apiece. The Polar Bears shot 32-of-50 from the field and 10-of-14 from the free-throw line while connecting on six 3-pointers. Monroeville received six points from Lilly Stein on two 3-pointers and five from Stieber, who went 3-for-3 at the line. Margaretta led 30-9 after one quarter, 53-11 at halftime and 66-15 entering the fourth before closing out the 80-17 win. The starters exited together with 2:20 left in the third quarter to a loud ovation, marking the final home appearance for the senior class. With the sectional title secured, the top-seeded Polar Bears advance to face sixth-seeded Lakota at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Fremont Ross High School in a district semifinal. A victory there would send Margaretta to the district final next Saturday at Ross as it continues its pursuit of a deep postseason run. MONROEVILLE (6-17) Payton Weilnau 1 0-0 2, Taylor Scheid 1 0-0 2, Sophia Stieber 1 3-3 5, Lilly Stein 2 0-0 6, Brooke Morman 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 6 3-3 17 MARGARETTA (22-1) Lillian Belak 2 0-0 4, Ellaynah Schaefer 4 0-0 10, Cassidy Lane 5 4-5 14, Elllyse Schaefer 1 3-3 6, Kenadie Saylor 6 1-2 14, Addyson Fitzhum 5 0-0 10, Renna Keller 2 0-0 6, Ashlyn Kingsborough 3 0-0 6, Tessa Lane 2 2-4 6, Claire Conner 1 0-0 2, Alyssa Reinbolt 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 32 10-14 80 Monroeville 9 2 4 2 — 17 Margaretta 30 23 13 14 — 80 Three-point goals: Monroeville 2 (Stein 2); Margaretta 6 (Ellaynah Schaefer, Keller 2, Ellyse Schaefer, Saylor) Highlights: Click Here Taylor Wilhelm Photography Pictures: Click Here