WATERFORD, Ohio — A slow start ultimately resulted in a bad finish for the Southern girls basketball team Wednesday night following a 75-38 setback to host Waterford in a Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division matchup in Washington County.

The visiting Lady Tornadoes (2-11, 1-9 TVC Hocking) dropped their eighth straight decision, as the Lady Wildcats (9-2, 9-1) broke away from an early four-all tie with a 20-0 run en route to a comfortable 26-8 lead after eight minutes of play.

SHS never came closer the rest of the way, as the hosts used a 19-15 run in the second canto to secure a 45-23 advantage at the intermission. WHS doubled up Southern the rest of the way, as the Lady ‘Cats went on a 16-8 surge in the third period for a 61-31 edge before closing regulation on a 14-7 spurt to wrap up the 37-point decision.

Waterford — which has now won seven straight contests — also claimed a season sweep of the Lady Tornadoes with a triumph. WHS defeated Southern by an 80-35 margin back on December 17 in Racine.

Southern connected on 14-of-44 field goal attempts for 32 percent, including a 2-of-9 effort from three-point range for 22 percent. The guests were also 8-of-15 at the free throw line for 53 percent.

Celestia Hendrix led SHS with 12 points, followed by Jansen Wolfe with nine points and Shelby Pickens with seven markers. Jordan Huddleston and Haley Hill each contributed four points, while Alison Deem rounded out the scoring with two markers.

The Lady Tornadoes were outrebounded by a 36-30 overall margin and committed 46 turnovers in the contest, compared to just 21 by Waterford. Wolfe led the guests with eight rebounds and three steals.

WHS sank 34-of-84 shot attempts for 40 percent, which included a 3-of-13 effort from three-point territory for 23 percent. The hosts were also 4-of-7 at the charity stripe.

Brooke Drayer paced the Lady Wildcats with a game-high 20 points, followed by Randee Seevers with 15 points and Hannah Dailey with 12 markers.