District girls basketball: Shorthanded Brunswick falls to Perrysburg

BRUNSWICK — Addy Byrne, Hayden Siebenaler and Reagan Gray were simply too much for the shorthanded Brunswick girls basketball team to handle.The aforementioned seniors combined for 47 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists in leading 13th-seeded Perrysburg to a 57-35 victory over the No. 12 Blue Devils in a Division I, Northeast 2 District semifinal Wednesday night.Point guard Byrne scored 19 points, made 4-of-7 3-pointers and had three assists, while center Siebenaler racked up 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Small forward Gray had 11 points and six rebounds for the Yellow Jackets (11-12), who never trailed."We picked up our practices a lot and you could tell that everybody worked hard, but they have such a deep bench, like Wadsworth, that we couldn't keep up," Brunswick junior Aubrey Hayes said. "Our coaching staff did everything they could — and have all season — to prepare us and we were ready for everything Perrysburg gave us. This was just a tough way to end the year."Power forward Hayes collected 14 points, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots and small forward Bri Sigmund had nine points and a pair of thefts for the Blue Devils (11-12). A third junior, point guard Cam Sheets, added four rebounds and three assists.Hayes also provided the top highlight for the hosts, draining her second 3-pointer during a 13-6 run that tied the score at 16 early in the second quarter. Perrysburg immediately followed with 13 straight points — the final four from the 5-foot-11 Siebenaler — to take control."We were all out there doing what we could to try and match up," Sigmund said. "They're really good, big and physical. We're definitely going to work harder in the offseason to be ready for our senior year because these are the kind of teams we'll have to beat."Brunswick was without leading scorer Adaya Collenette for the fifth consecutive game after she suffered a season-ending right hand injury on Feb. 3. The junior averaged 15.3 points and 3.2 assists, helping the Blue Devils go 10-8 with her in the lineup.Collenette could have her bright pink cast removed soon, but it will be replaced by a brace that will prevent her from picking up a basketball indefinitely. The injury extends from the base of her ring finger into her palm."I wanted to get in there and help my team out so badly," she said.If there is a silver lining to Collenette's absence, it caused a ripple effect on the roles of a handful of players late in the season. The experience they gained should help the team in 2026-27, as it will only graduate Olivia Moats and Ryleigh Zenda.Defensive pest Sheets shifted into the starting lineup and junior center Amanda Kamenar moved into the rotation, playing a career-high four quarters with two points, two blocked shots and a rebound against the Yellow Jackets.Kamenar received one of the loudest ovations of the game when she scored on a power layup, both from the crowd and her teammates."At first I was terrified when I went in because I didn't know what to expect," she said with a smile. "But my goal was to focus on rebounding, defense and what I do best. This whole season has been a learning experience and I'll learn even more from this game."Brunswick coach Angela Fink said she knew she could count on Kamenar, who has quietly set an example for other reserves to follow while splitting time between the varsity and junior varsity."Her attitude has been amazing and is something a lot of people need to recognize," Fink said. "Amanda was always there in practice, scout team, getting JV minutes, whatever was needed. She never complained and trusted the process. We appreciate her."The Blue Devils also received five points from Aaliyah Wilson and four points and four boards from Amya Fluellen. Junior forward Chloe LaFaso chipped in seven rebounds and four assists for Perrysburg.Next up for the Yellow Jackets is No. 1 seed Wadsworth in the district final Saturday at Wooster. The Grizzlies mauled No. 18 Euclid 80-22 in a concurrent contest.Perrysburg eliminated Brunswick for the second time this school year, following its three-set volleyball win in the district finals on Oct. 23. Yellow Jackets sophomore center Madi Crowley, who had three rebounds and two assists, was the only athlete to play in both contests.Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on X.Perrysburg 57, Brunswick 35Division I, Northeast 2 District SemifinalPERRYSBURG 14 15 15 13 — 57BRUNSWICK 13 7 6 9 — 35Perrysburg — Reagan Gray 5-1-11, Chloe LaFaso 0-0-0, Hayden Siebenaler 6-5-17, Addy Byrne 6-3-19, Lauren McConnachie 2-0-4, Lily Palmer 0-0-0, Tori Trzcinski 1-0-2, Janie Bortz 1-0-2, Madi Crowley 0-0-0, Leah Getchy 1-0-2. TOTALS: 22-9-57.Brunswick — Bri Sigmund 3-1-9, Aubrey Hayes 6-0-14, Amya Fluellen 2-0-4, Aaliyah Wilson 2-0-5, Cam Sheets 0-1-1, Ally Aljabi 0-0-0, Amanda Kamenar 1-0-2, Olivia Moats 0-0-0, Evie Avarello 0-0-0, Ryleigh Zenda 0-0-0, Lillianna Midea 0-0-0. TOTALS: 14-2-35.3-point goals — Byrne 4, Sigmund 2, Hayes 2, Wilson. Rebounds — Perrysburg 33 (Siebenaler 9), Brunswick 12 (Fluellen, Sheets 4). Assists — Perrysburg 15 (LaFaso 4), Brunswick 9 (Hayes, Sheets 3). Records — Perrysburg (11-12), Brunswick (11-12).