This final four might be a first for Midview, but not for coach Brittney McNamara.
As a player at Elyria Catholic, she was on the Panthers’ 2011 Division III state semifinalist team. As the Middies’ coach, she reminded her players to remember the moment.
“I think that it helps that I have already been through (the final four) too. I can tell them how things are going to go down,” she said.
Excitement has been building in Grafton. A send-off was organized, as the team traveled to Dayton two days before the game.
“We are beyond excited (to play in the final four). No emotion could describe (the feeling). It is an awesome opportunity to have,” Midview’s Olivia DiFranco said.
The team is enjoying the moment, but showing no complacency as the Middies aim to advance to the Division I state championship game.
“People have never expected us to get this far. Every game is a new opportunity and there is another one waiting for us on (March 10),” Midview center Mary Meng said.
They’ve shown no complacency all year. The team’s first goal was to win the program’s first district championship. They did, and took the momentum to the Division I state tournament.
“At the beginning of the season our main goal was to win a district (championship). It’s the furthest that anyone has ever gone at Midview,” McNamara said. “We get a bigger goal after we have achieved that one and it was a regional title. To be able to do that was incredible. I think these girls are ready for that next goal.”
Standing in the way in a Division I state semifinal is Cincinnati Princeton. Coincidentally, Midview (Southwestern Conference) and Princeton (Greater Miami Conference) finished second in their leagues. Both conference could rival each other for the best in Ohio, as far as depth in the SWC and the elite teams in the GMC.
Midview girls basketball: What to know about Middies’ opponent Cincinnati Princeton
"I am excited for the challenge," McNamara said. "(Princeton) has some really good guards that are going to push us like we had for the last two games. Hopefully, our guards are ready for the challenge. Like I said about us. I will bet on us anytime. It's also really nice to have Mary (Meng). You can't really plan for 6-5. Its nice to have that in your back pocket."
Princeton is led by superstar guard Solè Williams, the 51st-ranked high school girls basketball player on ESPN HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. She is a signee to play basketball at Texas A&M.
Midview faced excellent guard play in its regional games again Akron Hoban and Solon. The Middies think the experience will assist them in Dayton.
"The last couple of games have been fast-pace with the press (defenses). It's nice to get that experience under our belt going into this game," Meng said.
Williams is surrounded by three other players who nearly average 10 points per game on a team that scores 64 per game.
The Middies hung their hat on defense to make it this far and plan to rely on it again.
"It's kind of another team like Solon. They can shoot the ball and they can get to the hoop," McNamara said. "We have to rely on our defensive guards. If they get past us, Mary (Meng) is sitting there waiting (in the paint)."
McNamara plan to match DiFranco on Williams. When defensive stopper Erica Baldoza comes off the bench, she can have her turn, which will put less responsibility on DiFranco.
"Being able to have that quickness on the defensive side really helps us, so we can get turnovers to lead to our offense," DiFranco said.
Midview is confident in its depth, which includes Leah DiFranco, Mya DiFranco, Alana Stacey, Grace Seymour and Baldoza. McNamara is impressed with how they've accepted their roles for the deep postseason run.
"Leah (DiFranco) has stepped up," McNamara said. "I think that she is getting her confidence as a freshman playing at this level with these girls. Grace (Seymour) is stepping up at the perfect time for us and even Alana Stacey. They really know their roles and have accepted it."
Considering Meng's 6-5 frame, she holds a height advantage. Against Solon, Midview's 21 3-point percentage were falling at its usual rate. They plan to use that as motivation for the semifinal.
Midview vs. Cincinnati Princeton
What: Division I state semifinal
Where: UD Arena at the University of Dayton, 1801 Edwin C Moses Blvd.
When: March 10, 6 p.m.
Records: Midview 23-3, Princeton 26-2
Midview's path: Def. Amherst, 52-34, St. Joseph Academy, 53-34, Brunswick, 58-24, Akron Archbishop Hoban, 70-45 and Solon, 62-59.
Princeton's path: Def. Western Hills, 76-18, Walnut Hills, 61-30, Mount Notre Dame, 58-48, Mason, 59-55 and King Mills Kings, 65-53.
Up next: The winner advances to the Division I state championship to play the winner of Olmsted Falls and Pickering Central on March 11.
Perez's pick: Princeton
