Elyria Catholic girls basketball: Isabelle Niederst reaches 1,000-point milestone, shows leadership in Brunswick win

BRUNSWICK — From the moment Isabelle Niederst stepped onto the hardwood for Elyria Catholic, Coach Eric Rothgery eventually knew she would reach the 1,000-point milestone.

As the years passed from the starting freshman point guard to a Division II All-Ohioan, Niederst surpassed that milestone Jan. 15, in a 52-41 road win against Brunswick.

“We knew that she was going to be something special,” Rothgery said. “(As a freshman,) she was committed to the team. In her freshman year, she didn’t even score 100 points, she was the point guard. She was a distributor. When someone has that team mentality from the start, we know that they are going to be really good. We could see it in practice, and she had the ability to score and get to the rim. She didn’t really do it because that’s not what the team needed.”

Niederst reached the milestone in the third quarter with 1:57 left. She was sent to the free-throw line and made both attempts.

“I knew that it was coming. I was really excited for it, but once it happens, we just keep playing basketball from there,” Niederst said.

Teammate Lexi Rodriguez said Niederst’s accomplishment means a lot to the team because of her impact and character.

“(Niederst) is such a good teammate,” Rodriguez said. “She is very supportive and uplifting. She always has a positive attitude. When she is pressured, you can never tell, because even if she is frustrated, she doesn’t take it out (on anyone). She makes sure that we are all doing our best and she has something positive to stay about it.”

As exciting the moment was, Niederst and the Panthers had to lock back in, as the Blue Devils made shots and crashed the class to go on a 15-2 run to trail, 34-30.

“We had a four-minute spell of second shots, and they hit a couple of 3s, too,” Rothgery said. “(Niederst) is a good leader. She does whatever it takes to win.”

She scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and four steals. After a Panthers timeout, Niederst made sure to set the tone on the glass.

“Once we get the boards, (Brunswick) can’t get second-chance shots, which they were getting a lot of. Once we limited those, I felt like we were more under control.”

Niederst came into the game as the one of The Morning Journal coverage area’s leaders in points per game (17.5), rebounds (9.5), assists (3.7) and steals (3.8)

Brunswick was without Kent State signee Journey Hildebrand on the floor. Elyria Catholic prepared for a healthy Hildebrand, which forced a change in game plan.

“You hate to see (injuries),” Rothgery said. “(Hildebrand) is a great player, and you are looking forward to that competition. Obviously, we were practicing (a bunch of different defenses). When you come out here and she is not there, you still have to be able to adjust and do the right thing.”

The Panthers had the lead for the entire game. Niederst scored their last three baskets in the first quarter to lead, 14-11. She did the same in the second quarter, but mixed in a couple 3-point shots.

Rodriguez and Camara Ogletree contributed with eight points each. The supporting cast hit timely shots as well.

Brunswick’s Lexie Bertemes (10 points) and Kiley Deighton (10) were the only Blue Devils with double digits.

Elyria Catholic improved to 11-4 and won its third straight game, after a 60-54 loss to Smithville.

Brunswick dropped to 9-6 and lost its fourth straight game that came from a brutal schedule against Laurel (53-40), Strongsville (57-46) and Medina (58-42).

THE SCORE

Elyria Catholic 52, Brunswick 41