Austin O’Brien hoped to get taken in this year’s Major League Baseball draft. Though he wasn’t, O’Brien got an opportunity to join Lake Erie with the results being resounding. Last week in six games, O’Brien hit three home runs. In just 19 games this season, he has five homers.

“It was disappointing because it’s a dream you have. … As a young baseball player, your whole dream is to get drafted, play pro ball and eventually make it to the big leagues.

“Despite the disappointment, I knew I still had something to offer. I knew my heart was still in the game and I wanted to give it a shot. But if I don’t give it a shot, I might look back and think I really wish I had given it a chance.”

A high school All-American, O’Brien continued his career at Oklahoma. He played four years and finished with 18 career home runs. His uncle Charlie O’Brien played 15 years in the majors.

After the draft, O’Brien’s father managed a player who knows Lake Erie manager Cameron Roth. It didn’t take long for the two parties to get in touch with each other. O’Brien signed, getting his second chance to chase his dream.

“It’s a blast to be here and I’m thankful Cam gave me an opportunity,” O’Brien said. “All these guys have done a really great job of welcoming me and making me feel at home.”

Playing first base since he signed, O’Brien has been stellar defensively. Offensively, he has shown he has more pop in his bat. After his power outburst last week, O’Brien has hit five home runs in the 19 games. He is hitting .290 with 12 RBI.

Playing against some fantastic talent while at Oklahoma, when O’Brien got to Lake Erie he immediately saw a difference. But it wasn’t in talent.

“Obviously I saw some really good arms playing for OU, but one of the biggest things is the consistency,” O’Brien said. “Play some mid-week games where you saw some guys who weren’t as strong.

“Playing six games a week is a big difference, too. You see good arms every day and guys coming out of the bullpen also have good arms. It’s just that consistency of seeing good arms every game.”

Another difference O’Brien cited was playing a game during the middle of the week and the bulk of the schedule being played on weekends. In the Frontier League, six games a week is the norm.

Living in Oklahoma his entire life, O’Brien got a chance to come to the Midwest. So far he has liked what he has seen.

“This is a beautiful part of the country,” O’Brien said. “I got to see Cleveland a little bit and I really love the city and being here.

“I have had a great experience so far. Obviously, the goal is to get to signed, but I’d love to come back here.”

Crushers win

Lake Erie (28-34) got a complete-game performance from Jordan Kurokawa to down River City, 2-1, July 27 at Sprenger Stadium in front of 1,820 fans.

O’Brien and Connor Oliver each had a RBI in the second inning. The offense was more than enough for Kurokawa.

Kurokawa (4-3) didn’t allow a hit after the third inning – which is when the Rascals scored their lone run. In going the distance, he had four strikeouts and was helped by the defense with three double plays.

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Phillips’ double in the bottom of the 10th inning scored Sam Casinelli to give the host Ironmen a 5-4 Great Lakes Summers Collegiate League win over Grand Lake July 22. It also gave Lorain County its longest win streak of the year at three.

>> Photos: Check out Randy Meyers’ gallery from the game

“Each one of these kids have done exactly what I have asked them to do,” Lorain County manager Kevin Whiteside said. “Which is to come out these last 10 games and give me everything they’ve got.

“This (win) tells you the types of kids they are. It (hasn’t) been an ideal year. Whether you are in first place or last place, you have to compete. That is what they are doing.”

Lorain County (12-23) gave up a 4-1 lead in the sixth inning when Grand Lake scored three times. The Ironmen had a chance to break the deadlock in the seventh inning, but Antonio Bennett (Clearview, 3-for-4) was thrown out at home trying to score on a flyout to right.

In the 10th inning, Sam Casinelli singled to left with one out. Phillips (2-for-4) ripped his double deep into left field near the third base line. Casinelli never broke stride as he scored from first to end the game.

“It feels great,” Phillips said. “This year there has been a lot of ups and downs for me. But to come out and do what I’ve got to do to help the team win makes me feel great.”

After Grand Lake took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, Lorain County answered with Nick Novak perfectly executing a hit-and-run with a double to right-center to score Chase Knodle. Caleb Waller lined out to second, but Cole Womack’s throw to third went wide, which allowed Novak to score and give the Ironmen a 2-1 lead.

Lorain County built on its lead in the next inning with Novak singling home Mathew Carpenter and Bennett singling home Knodle to give the Ironmen a 4-1 lead.

Ironmen starter Ryan LaPage gave up three straight singles, including an RBI single to Nic Varda, to start the inning. LaPage was relieved by Tyler Gault, but the Mariners got RBI singles from Nate Ostmo and Jeff Timko.

Canyon Williams pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win. He allowed the lead-off man to get on in each inning, but battled to keep the Mariners off the board and allow for Phillips’ heroics.

The Ironmen pounded out 14 hits – 10 of which came in the first four innings. It is the third straight game which they had over 10 hits.

Knodle had his streak of three hits in a game come to an end, but still was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored. He still is among the league leaders in batting average.

“We’re realizing that it’s almost over,” Casinelli (2-for-5) said. “We’re all trying to finish strong and take advantage of each at-bat.

“It feels great. I love winning – losing is never fun – especially (winning) back to back; it’s a great feeling.”

Lorain County travels to Grand Lake July 23.

Hailing from Wailuku, Hawaii, Kalawaia signed with Lake Erie June 20 and has quickly become a fixture in right field and atop the batting order. Since coming on board, Kalawaia’s adjustment didn’t take very long.

>> Crushers vs. Otters photo gallery

“It’s been awesome,” Kalawaia said. “The team is awesome and they’re really open about letting me come in and mold myself with them. It’s been good and we’re all clicking together.”

After playing for a junior college team in California, Kalawaia went to University of North Carolina Greensboro. Though he had to red-shirt a season, Kalawaia had a solid senior year and was drafted in the 21st round by the Los Angeles Angels.

Playing in the Pioneer League for the Orem (Utah) Owls, Kalawaia appeared in 41 games. He batted .268 with 16 RBI and 11 stolen bases, but he was released in June and it wasn’t long before Lake Erie Manager Cameron Roth got in touch with him.

“When I was released by the Angels, a couple days later Cam contacted me,” Kalawaia said. “He told me you have another opportunity to play. I didn’t think that I was done with baseball yet. So, I just took the opportunity.”

Though he didn’t know what to expect, it didn’t take long for Kalawaia to seize the opportunity to continue playing baseball.

Kalawaia started in the ninth spot of the batting order, but quickly was put at the top. Kalawaia hasn’t disappointed. He is batting a robust .342 with a double and a triple. He has shown the ability to be efficient on the base paths with a pair of stolen bases.

“It feels good getting some hits and getting on base,” Kalawaia said. “Having guys like (Jordan) Dean and all the other guys driving me in. Since I got here, guys are starting to piece up their at-bats. The team is kind of molding together and it’s fun. Baseball is getting fun.”

Though he played mostly center field for Orem, Kalawaia believes that he can play every position in the outfield. Roth made the decision to put him in right field to use Kalawaia’s versatility.

While he hopes to get another chance to play in affiliated baseball, Kalawaia is looking to make the most of his time in Avon. Having traveled a fair amount of the country, Kalawaia looks at each stop as an experience.

“I kind of like the difference in cultures,” Kalawaia said. “I like going away from home and experiencing it. Life is too short. Just got out and do it all. I had one the of the best years of my life in Carolina.

“I actually like it here (Avon) a lot. It’s a lot nicer than I had thought it would be. The people are nice and I’m molding well with the team.”

Crushers lose

Evansville shut down Lake Erie in the final two innings to hold on for a 4-3 Frontier League win July 3.

Lake Erie trailed early, but Jordan Dean blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 3-3. Sean Hurley started the rally with a solo home run to start the fifth inning.

In the top of the eighth inning, Josh Allen hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Christopher Ripoedre and break the deadlock. Ripoedre singled to start the inning, then promptly stole second and third.

The march to a million

Lake Erie drew 4,726 July 3 and now has drawn 999,050 fans since they started in 2009. The Crushers will celebrate their millionth fan July 7.

After sweeping a doubleheader from Schaumburg July 1, Lake Erie starter Payton Lobdell was roughed up for four runs in the first four innings on July 2. The defense struggled, as well, committing three errors as the Crushers fell to East Division-leading Schaumburg, 7-4, in front of 1,382 at Sprenger Stadium.

“We just didn’t execute on a lot of mistakes and capitalize and what he (Schaumburg starter Kagan Hopkins) was doing,” Lake Erie Manager Cameron Roth said. “I thought the energy level was down. Doubleheader (July 1) and come in here for a 2:05 game. But they were able to come up, step up to the plate and have a better energy level.”

Kyle Ruchim’s lead-off ground-rule double proved to be an ominous start for Lobdell (2-6). Ruchium scored on Sean Godfrey’s single to right.

In the second inning, Lobdell’s pick-off attempt on Josh Gardiner went into foul territory for a two-base error. Gardiner scored on Ryan O’Malley’s single to center.

The fourth inning proved to be Lobdell’s last. Back-to-back singles started the innings. Ruchim continued the streak with a triple to right field which scored James Keller and Jack Parenty and give the Boomers a 4-0 lead.

“I don’t think (Payton) really had a good feel for his off-speed, specifically the slider,” Roth said. “His fastball command was a little iffy too. When you can’t pitch off your fastball you aren’t going to have very good results. I don’t care if you are playing the ’86 Mets or the Boomers of 2017. It’s just not going to work.”

The Crushers (18-26) sliced the deficit in half with Brandon Murray driving home Jordan Dean in the fourth inning. Tanner Lubach blasted his seventh homer run of the season over the left field wall to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

But the Boomers answered in the top of the sixth inning taking advantage of some Lake Erie miscues.

Josh Gardiner walked and was safe on a fielder’s choice when Crushers shortstop Parker Norris pulled his foot off second base too early.

Gardiner scored on Parenty’s single. Ruchium drove in his third run of the game with a single to right field and push the Boomers’ lead to 6-2.

After Josh McAdams RBI ground-rule double trimmed the deficit, Seth Spivey put an exclamation point on Schaumburg’s game with a solo blast to right.

Though the Crushers scored in the ninth inning, any hopes of a comeback were slammed shut with Alec Kenilvort getting the final out for his seventh save of the season.

What disappointed Roth the most wasn’t the loss, but the intangibles were and where he thought they needed to be.

“Energy and how we play the game is something we can control,” Roth said. “We can control how hard we play the game. That is what is more disappointing than anything is just the lack of intensity that we able to execute throughout the game.”

Lake Erie continues the homestand July 3 when they host Evansville at 7:05.

Shoremen senior quarterback Mark Pappas threw three touchdowns, while Tyler Nelson added three rushing scores as host Avon Lake defeated North Olmsted 49-28 in the regular season finale on Oct. 28.

Photos >> Check out a photo gallery from Week 10

The win puts Avon Lake (7-3, 6-3) in a position for a possible playoff berth. They needed help from a few teams out west to get its first berth since 2013.

“We had two years where we really weren’t up to what our standards were,” Avon Lake coach Dave Dlugosz said. “I told the guys you’re going to reestablish it where Avon Lake normally has been … (being) high in the conference (standings), challenging for a conference championship and playing in the playoffs. That was our goal this week and our guys did that.”

After a wild first half, North Olmsted (2-8, 1-8) had a chance to tie the game late in the third quarter. But on fourth-and-one from the Avon Lake three, Caleb Burr knocked away a Brandon Maximovich pass in the end zone to force the turnover on downs.

The big play proved to be vital according to Dlugosz as it solidified the momentum in Avon Lake’s favor.

“I was just watching film and saw they run slants on the goal line sometimes,” Burr said. “I saw his hip go inside. I stuck in my hand and got it.”

The big defensive stop proved to be key as Tyler Nelson ripped off a 63-yard touchdown run four plays after the Shoremen defensive stop.

Nelson added two more touchdown runs of 12 yards each as Avon Lake pulled away for the win in. He finished with 183 yards on 21 carries after having only 36 yards at the half.

“Last game at home, everyone’s emotions were running high,” Nelson said. “The line was amazing, opening up holes everywhere.

“The first half I was a little uncomfortable because the running game wasn’t opening up. But I was happy the passing game was there. The second half opened up (rushing) and it’s a great feeling.”

North Olmsted got on the board first with Brandon Maximovich rushing in from two yards out. The game’s opening drive was set up by a 63-yard run by Christopher Jones, who fumbled and had it bounce back right to him. Jones finished with 119 yards on 17 carries.

Pappas (18-24, 326 yards, three touchdowns) took over, hitting Carson Toy (4-119) from 35 yards out and Jason Sullivan (7-119) from 10 yards to give Avon Lake a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Pappas hit Burr from 32 yards out midway through the second quarter to make it 21-7. But the Eagles came back.

Jones had a 22-yard run and a 32-yard touchdown catch which was sandwiched between a Toy eight-yard run as Avon Lake held a 28-21 lead at the half.

The turning point in the third quarter on the missed scoring opportunity is something the Eagles had seen before.

“We’re a team that two or three games we were a play or two away form a win,” North Olmsted Coach Tim Brediger said. “If anything it will motivate us for next year.”

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>> Read more about the Avon Lake Shoremen

>> Read more about the North Olmsted Eagles

>> More high school football coverage

Crum threw five touchdowns, ran another three into the end zone and accounted for 528 yards of total offense as Midview clinched a home playoff game with an impressive 55-34 Southwestern Conference win over Avon Lake on Oct. 21.

Photos >> Check out Week 9 pictures from around The Morning Journal area

“Dustin is a warrior,” D.J. Shaw said. “He’s been our guy all season. When we need a big first down, he’s there to get it for us. We’ve even put him on defense, where he has made big plays.

“He’s a tough kid. He’s not your average run-of-the mill quarterback. He’s a playmaker.”

Crum had touchdown passes of 67 and 58 yards to Keith Johnson (7-208) and an eight-yarder to Seth Frambach – which gave Midview a 34-14 lead at the half. Crum also had touchdown runs of 36 and two in the first half.

Avon Lake quarterback Mark Pappas had touchdown passes of 67 and 55 yards to Carson Toy and David Marsh in the first half.

The high-octane Middies offense picked up where they left off to start the third quarter with Crum hitting Johnson for the third time in the game – this one from 53 yards out – to give Midview a 41-14 lead.

After Avon Lake trimmed the deficit down to 41-21 when Mark Pappas hit Toy (11-160) for the second time – this one from seven yards out, Midview’s defense forced a big turnover on downs. Being able to stop Avon Lake proved to be a key for Shaw.

“Avon Lake is a very good football team,” Shaw said. “Our defense was able to get some stops when we needed it. You’re never going to stop an offense that is that good. They have some great players. Our defense held strong enough and long enough to get a lead which was huge.”

Avon Lake quarterback Mark Pappas (31-for-50, 446 yards, five touchdowns) continued to find holes in Midview’s defense. He connected with Caleb Burr from 10 yards out to mark it 41-27, but Crum continued to steal the show.

Crum scored his third rushing touchdown of the game – a 15-yard run – then capped off his fantastic game with a seven yard pass to Alonzo Banks.

“It’s an awesome field,” Crum said. “I’ve been on this field watching great players come before me. To close it out on a high note is really cool. It means a lot in the playoff picture because I think we clinched a home playoff game.”

Midview did clinch a home playoff game, which is something which Shaw believed was fantastic given the success they have had at home.

Knowing the game could turn into a shootout, Avon Lake coach Dave Dlugosz knew his team couldn’t afford to give up and possessions. Unfortunately they missed a few opportunities.

“We gave them extra possessions,” Dlugosz said. “When we came into the game we talked about being very efficient on offense and on defense we needed to make them punt a few times – and we did not do that.

“You just can’t give that offense with their triggerman (Crum) extra possessions and that is what it came down to.”

Avon Lake hosts North Olmsted next Friday, while Midview travels to North Ridgeville.

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>> Read more about the Avon Lake Shoremen

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The host Sailors started just a bit sluggish, but soon kicked it into gear. Clicking on all cylinders, Vermilion rolled into the district semifinals with a 25-15, 25-12, 25-12 Division II Attica District sectional final win over Ontario, Oct. 20. The second-seeded Sailors travel to Seneca East on Oct. 25 to face Lexington, who defeated Bellevue 25-12, 25-10, 25-13.

“I figured if we run our offense, control the ball on our side and keep on attacking – because that is our strongest point,” Vermilion Coach Bob Eis said. “We did those things pretty well … I was really happy.

“We started slow … we picked it up. We didn’t stop and get negative. We finished (each) set pretty well being aggressive and confident.”

The Sailors (18-5) had a few hitting errors in the first set before righting the ship and leaving Ontario (8-15) with very little options to defend Vermilion’s attack.

Whether it was Reese Virgin (team-high 19 kills) or Taylor Hollis (14 kills), the Warriors had a difficult task in trying to figure out who to stop as the Sailors cruised in the first set.

Vermilion, who defeated Norwalk and played Perkins and Huron (the second-ranked team in Division III) tough to end the regular season, took a first round bye. While it may have attributed to the sluggish start, it didn’t take long for them to get into focus.

“It was (a little hard) to get going,” Vermilion senior setter Maddie Nader said. “(Our) mental toughness is something we have struggled on, but it is something we have been working on. The one thing we focus on during the tournament is our mental toughness.”

Taking the second set handily, Vermilion did run into a bit of trouble early on in the third set. However the mental toughness and facing quality teams late in the regular season allowed the Sailors to get back on track.

Holding an 11-8 lead, the Sailors broke things open behind the hitting of Virgin and kept the Warriors out of system by continuing to attack. It wasn’t long before Ontario trailed 24-11. After a Sailors hitting error, Hollis clinched the match with a kill.

“I think we have to put the ball down or at least swing hard,” Eis said. “That way they are out of system or out of sync. I think that is the way we have to continue on because the next round is going to get tougher.”

Being out of system is something which rarely happened for the Sailors against Ontario.

Solid back-row play – which was led by Hollis (19 digs) – allowed Nader to run the offense with precision. Nader, who holds almost every assist record in Vermilion history, had 41 assists. Though Virgin and Hollis were the main benefactors, Caitlyn Schnur also added seven kills.

“When you see a person is hot, Coach (Eis) tells us to keep feeding them until they stop,” Nader said. “Every once in a while you switch it up, but if someone is hot … you keep feeding them.”

Back in districts, Nader knows what Vermilion needs to do in order to move on.

“We’re really looking forward to districts” Nader said. “We are focused on one game at a time (to reach the finals).”

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>> Read more about the Vermilion Sailors

>> More high school volleyball coverage

>> See updated area volleyball sectional and district tournament brackets

With Firelands down a man, Lutheran West senior Sam Kasputis scored on a free kick with 26 seconds left in regulation as the ninth-ranked team in the Division III state poll and top team in the Patriot Athletic Conference Stripes Division forced a 1-1 tie with the host Falcons on Oct. 1.

“We knew going in Firelands is a great program,” Lutheran West (10-1-2, 7-0-1) coach Joshua Hubeler said. “They’ve been building their program over the last couple of years. Unfortunately, they went down a man … we were able to capitalize on it.”

Firelands (10-2-1, 6-0-1), which is atop the Stars Division, took a 1-0 lead later in the first half when Patrick Brightbill scored after a free kick by John Gall. The rest of the half and the beginning part of the second half remained scoreless, while the physical play continued.

The physical play reached a climax when Firelands’ Casey Krueger was given a red card after he took down a Lutheran West player. The red card put Firelands down a man for the next 25 minutes. In addition, seven yellow cards were issued.

Though the Longhorns had the man advantage, they were unable to get a lot of scoring opportunities. When they did, Firelands goalie Corey Jones was there to make the stop.

As the final minute started to wind down, the pace became frantic. Goalie Max Kasputis came out and down to the offensive end as time wound down.

A penalty was called and gave the Longhorns a free kick. Sam Kasputis took the free kick and lofted it toward the goal. The ball came down, bounced around and ended up behind Jones to tie the game with 26 seconds left.

“On every restart, I’m always on the ball and I’m not looking to shoot,” Sam Kasputis said. “I saw a lot of people in the box and I thought if I can just put it in there, I know one of my teammates can put it in. It didn’t have to be a teammate. It could have been one of them (a Firelands player). It went in and that is all that matters.”

The tie assures Lutheran West the Stripes Division championship. Coming back from a deficit to force a tie and claim the Stripes Division championship completes one part of a season’s long journey.

“It (championship) means a lot,” Sam Kasputis said. “We worked really hard this season. We were down and we still went 100 percent.”

While Sam Kasputis was the offensive hero, his brother Max was the hero defensively, especially early on. Just three minutes into the game, Max made a diving save on a Krueger shot. Two other chances went awry before Brightbill broke the scoreless deadlock.

Though down a man for most of the second half, Firelands coach Jim Fossie was proud of the effort his players gave.

“The guys that were on the field just played with tremendous effort after we got the red card,” Fossie said. “They played for each other. They played hard and wanted to win. That’s the game of soccer. The ball is going to bounce … you have to be ready for a 1,000 different decisions you have to make.

“We will learn from this. It going to be a teaching moment for us.”

Don’t miss

>>More high school soccer coverage

>>Read more about the Lutheran West Longhorns

>>Read more about the Firelands Falcons

Behind the one-two punch of Carlos Chavis and Aaron Huff, the host Titans erased a one-point halftime deficit and scored 28 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 34-7 Lake Erie League win over Shaw on Sept. 30.

Photos >> Check out area games from Week 6

“I’m very proud of our kids,” Lorain Coach Dave McFarland said. “I think we have tough kids and they are resilient. We did not play a good first half … we got on them at halftime. We didn’t make any adjustments, but challenged them to play with more passion and pride.”

Trailing 7-6 at the half, Lorain (4-2, 2-0) came out with the emotion McFarland was looking for. He didn’t have to look too far to find Chavis and Huff to run with the passion he wanted.

Behind the offensive line of Sly Worthy, Solomon Villarreal, RaShaun Rogers, David Larson and Myron Wilson, Chavis and Huff found open holes. Huff capped a 10-play, 51-yard drive with a one-yard run in the middle of the third quarter. Zion Cross added the two-point conversion to give Lorain a 14-7 lead.

After letting a big play happen in the first half that led to Shaw’s only score, the Titans’ defense rallied and smothered the Cardinals’ offense. It allowed Lorain’s offense to get into high gear in the fourth quarter.

Huff, who had 101 yards on 14 carries, scored his second touchdown of the game with another one-yard run early in the fourth quarter. Chavis (25-169) capped off his big night, breaking through the line and into the clear to score from 27 yards out and give Lorain a 27-7 lead. Justin Sturgill hit Dawseaon Brooks from 52 yards out to close out the scoring.

“With them (O-line), I couldn’t have done it without them,” Chavis said. “Without the line, running backs can’t make holes, can’t make plays or be a playmaker.

“At halftime, we talked as a team and got a spark from it. It carried out onto the field. We came together as a team.”

Though Lorain suffered a pair of turnovers, the Titans’ defense created havoc for Shaw’s offense for the entire second half. For the game, they caused five fumbles – recovering one and recording three quarterback sacks. In addition, there were several big hits that jarred the ball loose from receivers.

“We didn’t change much, but we had to play harder and believe in the scheme (defensively),” Huff said. “We thrive (on big hits) and try to make big plays.”

Lorain set the tone for its running game early. Using almost all runs, the Titans drove down the field with Chavis breaking the scoreless deadlock late in the first quarter with a two-yard run for a 6-0 lead.

Shaw struck back with Alejandro Washington hitting Lemaro Smith for a 60-yard gain. Two plays later, London Patton scored from 10 yards out. The extra point by Washington gave Shaw a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter.

Lorain failed to convert on chances to take the lead in the first half. First, the Titans turned the ball over on downs when Chavis was tackled just short of the first down marker. Davion Dower threw his second interception of the half to end another drive.

Lorain travels to Sandusky, who is undefeated, next Friday in non-conference action.

Don’t miss

>> Read more about the Lorain Titans

>> More high school football coverage

The host Clippers exploded for 30 points in the third quarter and rolled to a 58-27 Patriot Athletic Conference Stripes Division win over Oberlin on Dec. 23.

“We came out of the locker room positive. But I wasn’t all that positive going into it,” Clearview coach Nick Dimacchia said. “It was a brief halftime talk and it was all positive. I said, ‘Let’s go get a win.’ These kids came out and played hard.

“It was nice to see our kids have some fun on the basketball court and play basketball like I thought we knew how to play.”

The first half wasn’t easy for Clearview (2-5) with Oberlin (0-10, 0-7) staying close. Aszure Chamberlin scored eight of her team-high 10 points in the second quarter as the Phoenix trailed, 18-17, at the half.

The second half was a different story.

Clearview’s defense proved to be its best offense, forcing turnovers and allowing the Clippers to get into a transition offense.

It led to a 14-0 run, including a Clippers’ five-point possession. The run featured Clearview with a more aggressive approach on offense – getting the ball deep into the lane. Whether it was good ball movement or drives to the basket, the Clippers were playing to their strengths.

After Oberlin scored a pair of free throws, Clearview closed out the quarter with a 16-5 run. During the quarter, the Clippers forced 11 Phoenix turnovers – most of which led to transition baskets. The transition baskets had an exclamation point with Brandyce Smith grabbing a rebound and going the length of the court of a buzzer-beating layup.

Five players scored for Clearview, but it was the play of Mia Inchaurregui on the defensive end that Dimacchia said provided a spark.

“She (Inchaurregui) didn’t score, but she came off the bench and was the spark that we needed,” he said. “I thought she played really well and gave us a huge spark. Everybody else was fired up.”

Tahjanae Flowers-Coleman scored 12 of her game-high 19 points in the third quarter. But she said it was a team effort to help Clearview end its five-game losing streak.

“First half, we started off slow,” Flowers-Coleman said. “We can play defense, but we knew that we had to take it in on the offensive end.

“Once we see our teammates were getting into it, we started feeling better about each other. We just wanted to win this game.”

Smith had 14 and freshman Vanecia Billings added 12. According to Dimacchia, it was the first time all season that Clearview had three players in double digits. In addition to the trio, five others reached the scorebook.

After an emotional beginning and staying close in the first half, Oberlin let things get the best of them in the second half, according to coach Kari Cooley.

“The first half was just a spark,” Cooley said. “For whatever reason, the girls seem to think Clearview is kind of our rival … they wanted to bring something to the table and they did.

“They let their emotions get the better half of them … they weren’t taking care of the ball. They let their emotions carry them away.”

Oberlin travels to Kirtland Dec. 28, while Clearview hosts Sandusky.