Waterford’s Elsie Malec (3) dribbles past Belpre’s Khloe Cooper during Friday’s game in Waterford. Malec was one of three Wildcats recognized as part of senior night. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

WATERFORD — Early in the season, efficiency wasn’t one of Waterford’s greatest attributes.

How things have changed for the better.

Friday night in a high school girls basketball game against Belpre, the Wildcat offense was humming.

In a 48-27 win, Waterford recorded an assist on its first 11 made field goals and only turned the ball over four times in the first half while taking a 21-7 lead into the locker room.

“Turnovers have been our Achilles heel all year long — when we come out of the gate, we’ve been turning it over,” Waterford coach Jerry Close said. “We have been working that all year and they are starting to finally understand if we take care of the ball, we get better shots.

Prior to Friday’s game between Waterford and Belpre, three Wildcat players were recognized as part of senior night – including Ciara Ponchak, right, and Ella Schweikert. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“This team has matured a lot since the beginning of the season.”

With one game remaining in the Tri-Valley Hocking Division set for Monday at Federal Hocking, Waterford (11-8, 7-2) controls its own destiny and can clinch at the very least a share of the conference title.

Even more good news resulted in Friday’s outcome — posting a victory on senior night as players Elsie Malec, Cira Ponchak and Ella Schwiekert were recognized. Prior to tip-off.

Malec finished with nine points, including a pair of 3-pointers, while Ponchak added a two-point bucket early in the fourth quarter to go with two assists.

“I was definitely more nervous about senior night — plus, we hadn’t played a game in two weeks,” Malec said. “We came out really strong and stopped their offense. For our game Monday against Federal Hocking, we have been working on defense and stopping their players trying to drive to the hole.”

A Waterford fan sits in front of a sign recognizing senior night Friday in Waterford for a girls basketball game between Waterford and Belpre. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Despite just two made buckets by halftime, Belpre (5-15, 2-7) ambushed Waterford in the first two minutes of the third quarter with seven consecutive points — all compliments of Gracie Bills, who finished with a game-high 15 points.

“For us, it’s just about execution,” Belpre coach Austin Cunningham said. “We want to play fast, so we’ve been trying different stuff defensively to try and prep for the tournament and focus in on some players.

“Waterford is a good program — coach Close has been at this for 20-some years. He has his girls super disciplined. They will move the ball for 45 seconds until you fall asleep. Then they go in for the layup.”

Following a timeout and Waterford nursing a 21-14 lead early in the third quarter, Belpre created a turnover and had a 2-on-1 fastbreak but could not convert.

A possible five-point gap turned into a 16-point cushion for Waterford at 37-21 by the start of the fourth quarter with the help of multiple defensive stops by the Wildcats and 3-pointers from Malec and Gracie Hartline to close out the period.

Belpre’s Gracie Bills prepares to shoot a free throw during Friday’s game against Waterford. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Hartline’s trey occurred as a result of an assist from Brynnlee Pottmeyer and only one second left on the clock.

Pottmeyer produced her own personal eight-point spree in the matter of two minutes late in the period. The sophomore ended the night with 12 points and seven assists.

The Waterford lead grew to 39-21 in the opening moments of the fourth quarter on a putback by Ava Hurley. The junior finished with a team-high 13 points.

“I was really happy with the rebounding tonight — that’s another phase that we have not been great at this year,” Close said. “We did a nice job, and you know, Gracie Bills as far as I’m concerned is the best rebounder in the area.

“But I was really happy with the way we cleared the boards tonight.”

Belpre girls basketball coach Austin Cunningham watches from the bench prior to the start of Friday’s girls basketball game between Waterford and Belpre. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Point guard Julia Way gave Belpre a second scoring option with her ability to drive to the hoop. She finished with eight points.

“Gracie garners a lot of attention — we know that and she knows that,” Cunningham said. “Julia is one of our seniors and she missed a couple months with an ankle injury, but she is trying to finish her senior season strong. She spent the whole time she was out rehabbing and trying to get back to get back out here.

“The girls’ effort was there tonight — that hasn’t been a concern for us all year.”

As part of his appreciation speech to his seniors and everyone involved who plays a role in Waterford girls basketball, Close alluded to the fact that the end is near as the program’s head coach. He did not specify whether this year or next but it’s definitely on his mind.

This season marks his 21st at the helm.

Belpre’s Cheylynn Parsons (13) drives into the post while being defended by Waterford’s Shaeli Hayes during Friday’s game in Waterford. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Probably one more year, but I’m not sure,” Close said. “It’s time. I’ve got five grandkids. Trying to be everywhere, it’s getting to be tough. There’s other things in life we need to move onto, so…”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com