MERCERVILLE, Ohio —A good start led to a solid finish for the South Gallia girls basketball team Thursday night during a 63-37 victory over visiting Wahama in a Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division matchup in Gallia County.

The host Lady Rebels (4-1, 3-1 TVC Hocking) never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a 20-10 lead over the Lady Falcons (2-2, 2-2) after eight minutes of play. SGHS never looked back from there, as the hosts closed the first half with a 16-10 run for a comfortable 36-20 cushion at the intermission.

The Lady Rebels kept that momentum going into the third canto, as the hosts went on a 19-7 surge for a commanding 55-27 advantage headed into the finale. WHS closed regulation with a small 10-8 spurt to wrap up the 26-point decision.

Rachel Johnson led the hosts with a game-high 21 points, followed by Meghan Caldwell with 12 points and Chandra Canaday with nine markers. Jasmyne Johnson added eight points, Ellie Bostic had seven points and Tori Duncan contributed four markers.

Lesley Small rounded out the winning total with two markers. SGHS was 13-of-18 at the free throw line for 73 percent.

Ashley Templeton paced Wahama with 10 points, followed by Sierra Carmichael with eight markers. Karista Ferguson and Kelsey Zuspan both added five points, while Paige Gardner contributed four markers.

Morgan Nottingham and Olivia VanMeter both had two points for WHS, while Mackenzie Gabritsch rounded out the scoring with one marker.

Both teams return to TVC Hocking action at 6 p.m. Tuesday. South Gallia hosts Waterford and Wahama hosts Eastern.

South Gallia 63, Wahama 37

W10-10-7-10 — 37

SG 20-16-19-8 — 63

WAHAMA (2-2, 2-2 TVC Hocking): Karista Ferguson 2 0-0 5, Ashley Templeton 5 0-0 10, Sierra Carmichael 4 0-1 8, Kelsey Zuspan 1 3-3 5, Paige Gardner 2 0-2 4, Morgan Nottingham 1 0-0 2, Mackenzie Gabritsch 0 1-2 1, Taylor Templeton 0 0-0 0, Olivia VanMeter 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 16 4-8 37. Three-point goals: 1 (Ferguson).

SOUTH GALLIA (4-1, 3-1 TVC Hocking): Sara Bailey 0 0-0 0, Sara Rustemeyer 0 0-0 0, Ellie Bostic 1 5-6 7, Tori Duncan 2 0-0 4, Lesley Small 1 0-0 2, Chandra Canaday 1 7-10 9, Meghan Caldwell 6 0-0 12, Caitlin Watson 0 0-0 0, Rachel Johnson 10 1-2 21, Jasmyne Johnson 4 0-0 8, Alicia Hornsby 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 25 13-18 63. Three-point goals: None.