Midview girls basketball: Middies back for more after final four run

As the Midview girls basketball team was honored at the halftime of the boys basketball team’s game in the 2023 DiFranco Classic, current and former players and coaches couldn’t help but recall the memories of their historic final four run last year.

“It’s crazy to think that this happened a year ago. It is incredible as my third year coaching to be able to get to that spot,” Midview coach Brittney McNamara said.

Upon reflection of the Middies’ magical season, they knew the show must go on for the following chapter, as they step toward a regional title defense.

Midview vs. Elyria Catholic girls basketball: Second-half push lifts Middies over Panthers

"Having some of the girls back from last year's team was incredible to see their faces. It makes you miss what we had last year," McNamara said. "I told the girls that we are closing that chapter. We are going to go on the (banner) wall, but we have to start a new one."

As crucial center and 2023 Lorain County Miss Basketball award winner Mary Meng, Mya DiFranco and Grace Seymour were for the team's success, the Middies brought back a solid foundation upon which to build.

"I felt like I had to score more," Leah DiFranco said. "Losing Mary (Meng), Mya (DiFranco) and Grace (Seymour), all three of them were huge scorers. I knew that I had to work on my shot, kept getting in (the paint) and finish with both hands around the hoop."

In the rich jointed history of Midview (23-5, 11-3 in Southwestern Conference) and the DiFranco family, cousins Olivia and Leah DiFranco stand out in its starting lineup. The duo combined for 36 of the team's points against Elyria Catholic, as Midview won, 53-39.

Olivia DiFranco left the 2022-23 season as Midview's all-time leading scorer, and she plans to pick up right where she left off. She is also signed to play Division I college basketball at Eastern Michigan.

"I think that (last year's final four run) puts a lot of pressure on us. It also gives us an opportunity to step back and realize the situation that we are in and try to better ourselves," Olivia DiFranco said.

DiFranco (17 points per game in 2022-23) didn't see much action in the post last year, with Meng's presence. She saw many touches on the block for her bully-ball playstyle.

Her effectiveness inside the post will dictate if defenses want to use their help defense, in which she will swing the ball around the court to shooters.

Olivia DiFranco found Leah DiFranco twice on the perimeter, as she made four 3-pointers against Elyria Catholic.

"When it works, it takes a ton of pressure off of us. When Leah is making her shots, that obviously gets us up in points. It gives us less stress," Olivia DiFranco said.

Leah DiFranco run the team from the point. She impressed as a freshman starter and aims to increase the workload.

"I don't think that (Leah) is used to being the scorer. I know that Mary (Meng) and (Olivia DiFranco) were the big scorers last year, and she had to give them the ball," McNamara said. "It's not a role that she is used to. For her to get used to it is going to take a little bit of time. I don't think that it will take long."

Meng averaged 17 points per game, 17 rebounds and three blocks per game. She was the OHSAA's second all-time leading rebounder, which presents a large gap to fill. Midview plans to contribute by committee.

"There's been bumps in the road trying to figure out who is going to score those points that she left with," McNamara said. "For us, hopefully, its going to be Leah (DiFranco) and the other girls. I know Alana (Stacy) stepped up big with 11 points (against Elyria Catholic), which was huge."

Erica Baldoza had an increase in ball handling responsibilities in the DiFranco Classic. Not only is she the team's best perimeter defender, but also uses her state qualifying track speed to break opposing team's presses.

As it pertains to the Southwestern Conference race, Midview placed second in back-to-back years behind Olmsted Falls (D-I state runner-up). Avon Lake looks formidable after a D-I district final run and North Ridgeville is back after a district semifinal run.

"It's definitely going to be a dog fight," Leah DiFranco said. "I think the winner will have two or three losses at the end of the day. You have (Olmsted Falls), and you can never count them out. You also have Avon Lake, Avon and North Ridgeville. I don't know who you can count out at this point. We definitely have a shot."

Midview started its season 1-0, but it will face its first SWC challenge against Elyria on Dec. 6.

"(Elyria Catholic) was a huge game, coming off of a final four run. We need to keep it going. Obviously, that was last season, but we knew that we had to start right where we left off," Leah DiFranco said.