Kaitlyn Nofziger drives past Stryker's Nicole Brown in the first period of Pettisville's Div. IV district semifinal with the Panthers. Nofziger scored all five of Pettisville's first-quarter points as the Birds won 37-31 to advance to the district final.–photo by Mary Huber Pettisville held off Stryker 37-31 to win their Division IV district girls basketball semifinal, Thursday, March 4 at Archbold High School.

The Birds led 5-0 after one, 14-10 at the half, and 22-17 after three.

The Panthers came within one, 28-27, with 3:57 left. Erica King sank a three-pointer to raise the difference to 31-27.

Stryker’s Torey Varner hit from the top of the key to close the gap to 31-29.

King was fouled and sank both ends of a one-and-one, taking the lead back to four, 33-29. A layup by Brooke Ruffer put Stryker back within two, 33-31, with 56 seconds left.

The Panthers fouled Tanner Hostetler and put her on the foul line with 39.8 seconds left. The sophomore sank both free throws for a 35-31 advantage.

After a Blackbird steal, King was fouled in the backcourt. She made one of two with 19.3 seconds remaining.

Ashlyn Bontrager finished the scoring for PHS, hitting one of two free throws for the 37-31 final.

“It was a classic Pettis- ville-Stryker battle,” said Jason Waldvogel, PHS head coach. “Our defense was solid, and we got the ball in Erica King’s hands when we needed to.”

King led all scorers with 25 points. Bailey Grime led Stryker (14-8) with 14.

Pettisville was 14-30 from the field for 47% and 6-8 at the foul line for 75%. Stryker was 14-39 from the field for 36% and 0-2 at the foul line.

Both teams committed 14 turnovers, and Stryker grabbed one more rebound, 20-19.