When trouble outside of basketball strikes, Avon Lake’s bond gets tighter.
In the absence of Coach Paul Appel because of an urgent family matter, the Shoregals seemed unstoppable in transition in a Dec. 30 matchup with Warren Harding to win handily, 59-20.
“I think (Appel) not being here; with everything going on with this team, we had to get this win for Coach Appel. I was excited to tell him that we did a good job today,” Avon Lake guard Izzie Polinko said.
After the game, the team met with Appel on FaceTime in the locker room.
Harding attempted to play tight defense early. Avon Lake’s ball movement, especially in transition, racked up points up to open the game with a 12-2 run. Avon Lake led, 18-6, at the end of the first quarter.
Avon Lake takes advantage in transition to lead Harding 18-6 at the end of Q1 pic.twitter.com/Jrz48o50WB
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2023
“Everybody got on the floor. Everyone was able to put points on the board and I think this was a really good game of team effort defensively and offensively,” Polinko said.
The Shoregals outrebounded the Raiders, 38-18, which was pivotal to hold them to one shot and get the transition game going.
Sophomore guard Olivia Miller (10 points) was on the receiving end of many outlet passes that led to points.
Avon Lake leads 40-14 at the end of Q3
Olivia Miller has scored 10 PTS@AvonLakeSports @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/DWIJJsVHXX
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2023
“I know my team gives good passes. I know that I will get the ball and score. … It’s fun,” Miller said.
Miller along with teammate Claire Springer each scored a team-high 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
“We were hoping that we could get out and run on them,” Avon Lake interim coach Josh Darr said. “Securing the boards and playing good defense, we knew that we could do that.”
As Miller and Springer were the only Shoregals to reach double-figures, the rest of the team accounted for 39 points.
PHOTOS: Avon Lake vs. Warren Harding girls basketball, Dec. 30, 2023
All 11 players in the varsity lineup ended up on the scoresheet. Darr said it is a testament to the team’s depth.
“This team is deep. Everyone can score. We can all play defense. Any one of us can do it on any night,” he said. “ Someone can put up 10 one night, 16 the next and four. They are ready to go with team effort. Anybody, can step up.”
Avon Lake totaled 18 assists. Jane Ritt led the team with six.
Ritt shows off her handle and assist to Austerman 🏀 @MJournalSports @AvonLakeSports pic.twitter.com/WriENhyqHb
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2023
Darr coached his first-ever varsity game. He had wins as the freshman coach.
“Everybody rallied around (the Appel family) knowing that (Coach Appel) wasn’t here,” Darr said. “It was my first varsity game coaching. They helped me out and my assistants did, too. It was kind of a big rally point for us today.”
Harding attempted to slow the pace down, with a 2-3 zone in the second quarter. As Avon Lake was unable to hit perimeter shots, it scored six points in the second quarter.
Fortunately, Avon Lake’s defense nearly shut out Harding in the first half, until Zoey Jenkins hit a 3-point shot near the end of the first half.
Avon Lake offense doesn’t find the same success as it did in Q1
Hardings Zoey Jenkins avoids the second quarter shutout
AL leads 24-9 at halftime.@AvonLakeSports @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/JUKK6s7cF5
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2023
Avon Lake led, 40-14, at halftime, but it also wanted to reignite its offense to score 16 points and go on a 12-3 run.
“We were patient in the zone (defense) and we were passing the ball,” Miller said. “We were making good passes and not forcing it. Our turnovers came when we were forcing the ball. We would get the ball and wait for someone to get open.”
Avon Lake has won its fifth straight game to improve to 9-1 and its next challenge will be against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary at home on Jan. 3.
Harding dropped to 5-4 and will go on the road to play Austintown-Fitch on Jan. 3.
THE SCORE
Avon Lake 59, Warren Harding 20
