Basketball Recap: Olivia Welch Key Part of a Team Effort in Panthers Win

After having lost a blowout in their previous game against Anthony Wayne, Whitmer was happy to have turned things around on Monday. Everything went their way against the Bowling Green Bobcats as the Whitmer Panthers made off with a 53-27 victory. Given the Panthers' advantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 261st, while the Bobcats are ranked 544th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Whitmer to victory, but perhaps none more so than Olivia Welch, who went 5 for 10 en route to 11 points in addition to six rebounds and four steals. That's the most steals Welch has posted since back in December of 2024. Madison Finch was another key player, going 5 of 10 on her way to 13 points.

Whitmer moved to 8-12 with that win, which also ended their three-game losing streak. As for Bowling Green, they have traveled a rocky road recently having lost seven of their last eight matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 5-14 record this season.

A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Whitmer Panthers challenge the Northview Wildcats at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. The timing is sure in Northview's favor as the squad sits on seven straight wins at home while Whitmer has been banged up by three consecutive losses on the road. As for Bowling Green, they will face off against Clay at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. Bowling Green is facing Clay at the right time seeing as Clay is stuck on a four-game losing streak.