Enter Grace Kingery from North Ridgeville, whose exceptional performance on both ends of the court game after game.

The question has to be asked. Could she contend for Ohio Ms. Basketball?

After the Ball State signee recorded a 27-point, five-block, three-steal and seven-rebound performance in a 52-49 win over Avon Lake, she averages 28.4 points per game, 11.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 2.4 blocks.

Avon Lake vs. North Ridgeville girls basketball: Rangers win completes season sweep

Time and time again, she has showcased her limitless seemingly limitless range. Combine that she stands at 6-foot-1 and has guard skills, she becomes a mismatch for nearly every opponent.

She has the third highest point per game average in Ohio, according to MaxPreps.

"I think regardless, if she is in (the Ohio Ms. Basketball conversation) there or not, we all know that she is one of the best players to ever come through this and in the state," North Ridgeville coach Amy Esser said. "She is going to have an amazing end of her (North Ridgeville) career and go to Ball State."

In the Rocky River Travel Basketball Girls Hoops Classic, Pirates coach Jamey Pfahl assigned 5-11 Mackenzie Russell on Kingery.

She was an All-Ohio midfielder on the soccer pitch. Russell transitions her length and athleticism to the basketball court. Despite that, Kingery scored 25 points in the first half, 32 total, for North Ridgeville to win, 44-39.

“What made (Kingery’s) performance so great was that I thought we were playing great defense. Mackenzie (Russell) was all over her, and she kept hitting shots and she was playing great,” Pfahl said after the game.

Avon Lake coach Paul Appel had to think outside the box to guard her, even with Shoregals defense stalwart Izzie Polinko guarding her. Yet, he still felt compelled to double-team Kingery.

“We never ran girls at people to double team and tonight we did that for the first time. … You also have to give a lot of credit to North Ridgeville,” Appel said. “I thought they shot really well. There are not a lot of girls you can double off of because they have a lot of capable players. It makes (playing defense) hard.”

Over 14 games played her highest scoring performance was 45 points against Elyria in an 80-51 win. Ten days later, she scored 38 in a 63-47 victory against Lakewood.

North Ridgeville girls basketball: Rangers prepare for Avon Lake with dominant win against Lakewood, Grace Kingery scores 38 points

Kingery showcased herself as more than just a scorer. Against Avon Lake, she recorded five blocks, three steals and seven rebounds. The latest performance put her average to 11.5 rebounds per game, 1.9 steals and 2.4 blocks.

"What (Kingery) puts on the floor every day doesn't necessarily have to be points, even though most times we need that from her. It's whatever the team needs for us to win," Esser said. "That is all that kids care about. She could care less about records and awards. All she wants to do is win. You can see it in every aspect of her game."

With Kingery leading the charge, North Ridgeville (12-3, 6-1 in SWC) has a chance to win its first conference championship since 1995. However, it plans to take the season one game at a time.

"I take it one game at a time. I worry about the future when it comes, so I take it step-by-step," Kingery said.

The Rangers will travel to square off against Amherst (7-6, 4-4 in SWC) on Jan. 20. The Comets lost to Avon, 51-47, but played North Ridgeville tough, for the Rangers to scrape by with a 59-51 victory.

The Morning Journal coverage area has yet to produce a Ms. Basketball winner. Northeast Ohio has had 16 winners.

Canton McKinley's Kierstan Bell was the last winner from Northeast Ohio. She won the award three years in a row (2017-19).

In comparison to last year's Ms. Basketball winner, Dee Alexander (Cincinnati Purcell Marian), she averaged 26.2 points per game, 10.1 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.6 assists en route to a Division II state championship.

Alexander was a sophomore in the 2022-23 season. Among the seven finalists, four of them were underclassmen.

Other 2022-23 Ohio Ms. Basketball Finalists

Sinai Douglas, Toledo Start, 5-4, Jr.: 16.8 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 5.3 steals.

Madison Greene, Pickerington Central, 5-7, Sr.: 15.2 points per game, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, Division I regional champion.

Saniyah Hall, Laurel, 6-0, Fr.: Amherst native, 20.8 points per game, 9.1 rebounds, 4.2 steals, 2.6 assists, 1.6 blocks.

Rylee Sagester, New Madison Tri-Village, 5-6, Sr.: 21.7 points per game, 4.2 assists, 2.4 steals, 41.9% 3-point shooter, Division IV state champion.

Corri Vermilya, Loudonville, 5-9, Jr.: 29.5 points per game, 12.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 6.5 steals.

Reagan Vinskovich, Belmont Union Local, 6-2, Sr.: 22 points per game, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.5 assists.

North Ridgeville had the opportunity to sweep Avon Lake at home on Jan. 17. The Shoregals had one trip down the floor left. After a few offensive rebounds, a 3-point shot to force overtime missed, and the Rangers won, 52-49.

The Rangers survived a 9-0 Avon Lake run at the start of the fourth quarter to take a 48-46 lead. They called upon their star, Grace Kingery, to tie the game with less than four minutes remaining.

C.C. Bouman followed up with two clutch free-throws to extend the lead, 50-49. Maddie Eldridge also made her free throws in the end.

“Overall, I thought it was a great team win. We had great plays from Brooke Lime, Maddie Eldridge, C.C. Bouman hit some big free throws. Grace (Kingery) makes things a lot easier out there,” North Ridgeville Coach Amy Esser said.

Balderas showing her handle for North Ridgeville@MJournalSports @NR_Rangers @AvonLakeSports pic.twitter.com/9IIZQvGSYI

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 18, 2024

Even with perimeter defenders including Izzie Polinko, Avon Lake Coach Paul Appel tried everything he could to contain Kingery.

“We never ran girls at people to double team and tonight we did that for the first time. … You also have to give a lot of credit to North Ridgeville,” Appel said. “I thought they shot really well. There are not a lot of girls you can double off of because they have a lot of capable players. It makes (playing defense) hard.”

Kingery scored 16 points in the first half en route to 27 points. She didn’t score for most of the third quarter, but got going again to score 11 near the end of the third and the entire fourth.

Grace Kingery is carrying the load for North Ridgeville. Rangers lead 31-26 at halftime.

16 PTS
3 REB
4 BLK
2 AST
1 STL@MJournalSports @NR_Rangers @AvonLakeSports pic.twitter.com/MWJ9Cf07c2

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 18, 2024

She was also a force on the defensive end with five blocked shots, three steals and seven rebounds.

North Ridgeville trailed, 5-0, to start the first quarter. Kingery scored or assisted its next 11 points.

While the offense did its thing, the defense allowed two points in an 11-2 run in the first quarter. North Ridgeville led, 14-10, to start the second quarter.

“We knew that (Avon Lake) was going to counter our zone. We had to mix a couple of things in. We missed some assignments here and there. Credit to them, they tried to counter and make some adjustments. They knocked down some shots. I thought Tobin had a great first half. Our goal in the second half was to get her out of the game.”

Avon Lake controlled most of the third quarter, which propelled it to a 10-5 run to cut the lead.

North Ridgeville was led by Kingery, but Eldridge (eight points), Lime (five), Macie Miller (five) and Bouman (five) contributed on the scoresheet, as well as other facets of the game.

“It’s about keep getting better. We are not at our highest point yet. We have to keep working together,” Kingery said. “It’s not just me. I heard one of the (Avon Lake) parents actually saying that they have a one-man team. That is not true. That is everybody. I might be on the stats, but (our production goes further than that.”

Olivia Miller (five rebounds) was Avon Lake’s top scorer with 12 points. Tobin and Claire Springer each scored 11 points and Summerfield had nine. Springer fueled the 9-0 fourth-quarter run with seven of those points.

Avon Lake ties it at 46-46

Tobin finds Springer@MJournalSports @NR_Rangers @AvonLakeSports pic.twitter.com/FwIPCpQNBQ

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 18, 2024

The Rangers completed the season sweep against Avon Lake, as they defeated the Shoregals, 32-23, earlier in the season.

North Ridgeville also won its seventh straight game to improve to 12-3 (6-1 in SWC) and will travel to Amherst on Jan. 20. Amherst had a close game with them, but the Rangers prevailed, 59-51.

NR leads 43-39@MJournalSports @NR_Rangers @AvonLakeSports pic.twitter.com/Eq4G08NdHW

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 18, 2024

North Ridgeville and Olmsted Falls (11-3, 7-1 in SWC) are the only one-loss SWC teams remaining.

Avon Lake had a big win against Olmsted Falls. However, the North Ridgeville loss dropped its record to 11-3 (6-2 SWC). The Shoregals will have a rivalry game against Avon on Jan. 20.

PHOTOS: North Ridgeville vs. Avon Lake girls basketball, Jan. 17, 2024

3-pointers

Rebounds

Assists

Steals

Blocks

Firelands dictated pace, controlled the paint and produced in clutch moments for the Falcons to hand Brookside its first Lorain County League loss of the season with a 69-56 victory Jan. 16.

“We knew that (Brookside) had a quick pace, shooting lots of 3s. We had to slow them down, force them to take shots that they didn’t want, and that’s what we did and it worked,” Firelands forward Niko Gotsis said.

Brookside cut a 31-21 Falcons’ lead to 44-36 to start the fourth. Firelands forward Jimmy Aunspaw took the initiative to score its first 11 points in the fourth quarter. His scoring efforts fueled a 9-2 opening run.

Dunfee gets his first three of the game

Firelands leads 44-36 to start Q4@FirelandsFalcon @MJournalSports @Brookside_AD pic.twitter.com/8xrXs2rd7n

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 17, 2024

“I felt confident at the start. It showed, being able to score. I was able to get rebounds and get second-chance points,” he said.

Aunspaw was a dominant force in the paint, scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He even made a 3-point shot.

Aunspaw has scored all of Firelands points to lead 53-40 in Q4@FirelandsFalcon @MJournalSports @Brookside_AD pic.twitter.com/WxaPurxStB

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 17, 2024

“We feed him a lot. His physicality always travels and always shows up,” Firelands coach Colin Myers said. “That is something that doesn’t show up in the statsheet. Being the more physical team, that makes a huge difference for us. Other kids start playing better because Jimmy is in there knocking kids down. He is a leader for us.”

According to Gotsis, his performance energized the team, which helped Firelands close the game.

“It was so exciting. Seeing someone on my team go off. It brings so much energy. Everybody is hyping him up,” he said.

Firelands had the size advantage down low, which resulted in a 38-19 rebounding advantage. Though Nata Draga went scoreless, he grabbed 12 rebounds with four assists.

“(The size advantage) showed. Giving us more possessions gave us more points in this game, and it took possessions away from (Brookside),” Gotsis said. “Taking rebounds were huge. When we were killing them on the boards like that, a great game follows.”

Both sides saw the overtime junior varsity game, which meant they also noticed the slippery surface on the floor. Firelands knew it was something it and Brookside had to overcome. It became survival of the fittest.

“(The floor) was an obstacle, but we knew that we had to push through it, too. It was an obstacle that both of us had to overcome. We were able to come out on top,” Aunspaw said.

Firelands’ inside-out offense was effective because Max Stinson hit three 3-pointers in the first half. He made its first field goal of the game, as Brookside attempted to double-team Draga in the paint.

Stinson hits back to back threes to help Firelands take a 31-20 lead @FirelandsFalcon @MJournalSports @Brookside_AD pic.twitter.com/Z7RNEng6AX

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 17, 2024

Stinson (13 points), Chris Radman (12) and Gotsis (14) contributed with double-digit scoring performances.

“It was awesome to watch. Being able to do it on the home floor for (the team). That is what the kids are capable of. They play team basketball and play the right way. It was a lot of fun to coach and watch,” Myers said.

Brookside’s leading scorers were Brandon Sharpe (16 points), Nolan Waechter (10) and Jayden Nazario (nine). Coach Larry Babics was not happy about his team’s performance.

“We have been through this all year,” he said. “We settle for too much easy (stuff). Our focus isn’t there. We had a week off to prepare and play like that. Give Firelands credit, but we told them that (Firelands) were playing for their lives tonight. You were going to get everything. If they lost, they were done. Now you let them back in the league (title race).”

After a three-game winning streak, Brookside’s loss had its record at 8-4 overall (6-1 in LC8). Keystone will be the Cardinals’ next opponent Jan. 19.

Firelands improved to 6-5 (4-2 in LC8), as it kept its hopes to contend for a league championship alive. The Falcons will put that to the test again against Clearview on Jan. 19.

Avon Lake became the first SWC team to defeat Olmsted Falls since 2020. As much of an emotional game it was for the Shoregals, Coach Paul Appel plans to take the momentum into their Jan. 17 matchup against North Ridgeville.

“I think there is always a balance, whether there is momentum and you love to have confidence, but you don’t want to get ahead of yourself,” he said. “There is another big game coming up. We all look at them as great opportunities. That is the great thing about the SWC. After one big win, you get to play another big (game). … It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

After Avon Lake’s 39-35 win against Olmsted Falls, it goes into the North Ridgeville game with a 12-2 record (6-1 in SWC). Appel thought the team was confident to start the season. After watching its success, he can feel the buzz in the community for his team.

Avon Lake vs. Olmsted Falls girls basketball: Shoregals honor 1994 team, end Olmsted Falls’ 52-game winning streak in SWC

“There is excitement growing, and that is the most enjoyable part that you want to keep going." he said. "There is a lot of excitement around the program right now, and it’s really fun. It’s fun to be around them. It’s fun for the girls to experience that. We had a great crowd (at the Olmsted Falls game). We are hoping to continue that sort of stuff moving forward.”

Though North Ridgeville has a 5-1 SWC record (11-3 overall), it defeated the Shoregals, 32-23, on the road. The Rangers' three losses on the season were to Medina (75-44), Olmsted Falls (55-41) and Strongsville (62-50).

North Ridgeville vs. Avon Lake girls basketball: Rangers’ zone stifles Shoregals in SWC road win

“I think that we did a really good job defensively and guarding (North Ridgeville) really well, but we only put up 23 points on the board,” Appel said. “It’s hard to win when you score that many points. They did some different things with some matchups and zone defenses that we have to be ready for. We are going to prepare for that and go from there.”

The Rangers’ most recent game was a 63-47 road win against Lakewood, in which their Ball State signee Grace Kingery scored 38 points. She also scored 45 against Elyria 10 days prior.

Appel is very familiar with North Ridgeville. Not only are Avon Lake SWC opponents, but he also sees the Rangers several times in the offseason.

With that familiarity comes the chess match between coaches and players. In Appel's first head coaching season in 2022-23, North Ridgeville and Avon Lake split the series. Both teams made district tournament runs in the Division I postseason.”

“North Ridgeville is somebody that we play a lot in the spring, summer and the fall,” Appel said. “We do open gyms with them. We have seen them a lot. We know how good they are, but there is a high level of familiarity with them that we’ve played before.”

After the North Ridgeville loss, Avon Lake won nine of its last 10 games. The one loss was against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (39-33).

Avon Lake girls basketball falls to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary

The girls basketball state poll was released Jan. 15, but the Shoregals did not receive 12 or more votes to be recognized. Even though Avon Lake didn’t make it, Appel believes his team is capable of playing at a top-10 level.

“I think that is something that we are definitely capable of,” he said. “I think that we’ve shown that we’ve competed with everybody that we’ve played against. I know that St. Vincent-St. Mary was ranked in the top 10 for Division II. We were right there against them. … We are just trying to get better every day. If we are in the top 10, we are going to let it fall where it falls.”

In the MaxPreps RPI rankings (as of Jan. 16) that will be used for seeding in district tournaments, Avon Lake (.701 rating as of Jan. 14) jumped to third in Northeast Ohio. Akron Hoban (.715) and Uniontown Lake (.712) are the only teams ahead of it.

As it pertains to Avon Lake’s region in Northeast Ohio, this would project it as the top seed in the region. Olmsted Falls (.688) trails in fourth.

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.

Niederst scores 16 as EC leads 30-15 at halftime@BHSGoBigBlue @ECHSAthletics @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/1T7C1CeYWT

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 16, 2024

“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.

Brunswick hits shots and dominates the glass to go on 15-2 run

EC leads 36-30 to start Q4@BHSGoBigBlue @ECHSAthletics @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/iMqPRVvt3e

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 16, 2024

“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.

Rivera extends ECs lead to 52-39 in Q4@BHSGoBigBlue @ECHSAthletics @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/GiTfBX6qfs

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 16, 2024

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

In a battle of the Rangers, North Ridgeville’s hot start propelled it to a 63-47 win.

Lakewood’s Charleigh Doxley scored the game’s opening field goal. That was its only lead of the game.

North Ridgeville All-Ohio forward Grace Kingery had another astronomical scoring performance, as she scored 38 points. Her career-high was 45 against Elyria on Jan. 5.

“I didn’t even know how many points (Kingery) had because she was getting them in the flow of the game,” North Ridgeville coach Amy Esser said. “What people don’t know is that Grace is a really unselfish player. She finds the open players and she finds the best looks out there on the court, but when she is on and in the flow of the game. She is pretty hard to stop. That was kind of what she was like today.”

Kingery got the ball rolling with their first four points, which ignited a 17-2 run to lead, 17-6, to start the second quarter, with the help of defensive support.

“We talked about coming out strong, playing well from the get and playing four quarters consistently,” Esser said. “I thought we came out hot offensively and we were playing some really good defense. We were able to counter some things and change some things up on them to throw something different at them, as far as defenses go.”

Kingery scored 36 points over three quarters. North Ridgeville led, 54-28, to start the fourth quarter. Lakewood rallied with an 18-1 run. Kingery was reinserted back into the game and made a pair of free throws.

In Lakewood’s lineup that featured two 6-footers, North Ridgeville held Delaney Garcia and Layla Smith to combine for nine rebounds. Kingery led the team with eight, but Brooke Lime and Cecilia Bouman each grabbed six.

Esser assigned Maddie Eldridge to face guard Garcia, as she was held to eight points. Smith scored 17 points, but 11 of those points were scored in the fourth quarter, in Lakewood’s rally.

“We went to face guard Garcia with Maddie (Eldridge) and it was kind of like we did it with the Rocky River game plan (earlier in the year),” she said. “We relied heavily on ‘C.C.’ Bouman plays pretty good defense in the post. I thought Maddie did a really good job of shutting down Garcia. We relied heavily on our outside defense, which allowed Grace (Kingery) to get some easy rebounds.”

Bouman scored eight points and Lime also chipped in with nine points and four assists.

“I thought, overall, that it was a really good team win and a lot of kids contributed today. That is good to see as a coach,” Esser said.

North Ridgeville won its fifth straight game, as it improved to 11-3. Lakewood suffered its second straight loss, along with a 54-36 defeat to Westlake. Lakewood dropped to 6-9.

North Ridgeville will have a big Southwestern Conference game against Avon Lake on Jan. 17. As two one-loss teams in the SWC, the Rangers handed the Shoregals their only conference loss of the year with a 32-23 road win.

North Ridgeville vs. Avon Lake girls basketball: Rangers’ zone stifles Shoregals in SWC road win

“I think (our recent success) has given us a little bit of confidence and it has given us a little bit of an edge. I feel like we are still figuring out our identity and starting to figure out how to beat good teams. We matched up really well against Avon Lake the first time, which is why we won the game. … It is a matter of not worrying about who we are playing, but also trying to continue to better ourselves. I feel like in the last few games, we have really clicked offensively," Esser said.

Lakewood will have another chance to bounce back as it will host John Hay on Jan. 18.

THE SCORE

North Ridgeville 63, Lakewood 47

Girls basketball

1: (2) Avon Lake 12-2

2: (1) Olmsted Falls 9-3

3: (4) North Ridgeville 10-3

4: (3) Elyria Catholic 10-4

5: (6) Amherst 6-5

6: (5) Rocky River 6-6

7: (8) Midview 5-6

8: (7) Avon 8-6

9: (9) Keystone 13-0

10: (10) Columbia 6-1

Watchlist: Wellington 8-4, Westlake 9-5, North Olmsted 9-5

Crop comments: For the first time since the season-opening crop of the 2021-22 season, a team other than Olmsted Falls has taken the No. 1 spot in the Top of the Crop. Avon Lake knocked off the Bulldogs, 39-35, toppled a 52-game winning streak against Southwestern Conference opponents, including playoffs. … North Ridgeville extended its winning streak to five games, with a 73-37 win over Midview. … Elyria Catholic fell to Smithville, 60-54, but won back-to-back games against Bay and a close game against Rocky River (53-52). … Midview took a tough 73-37 loss to North Ridgeville. However, it bounced back with a 56-52 win over Avon. … Rocky River and Amherst switched places, both teams endured two-game losing streaks. The Pirates lost to Division I powerhouse Magnificat (65-36) and to the Panthers. Amherst followed up a loss to Avon Lake (38-26) with a 67-37 loss to Olmsted Falls. The Comets came into the week with momentum, with a 57-34 victory over Elyria. … Prior to Avon’s loss to Midview, it defeated Berea-Midpark, 49-46. Keystone’s lead in the Lorain County League hung on a thread against Wellington. However, the Wildcats pulled through with a 31-30 home win to remain undefeated. … Columbia won handily against Lorain, 64-20, and Clearview, 59-18.

Note: records as of Jan. 14.

The Shoregals hosted a highly anticipated matchup and Division I district final rematch with Olmsted Falls, a team that had won 52 straight games against Southwestern Conference opponents.

Points were at a premium the whole game. Once Avon Lake took a 32-31 lead, its defense unleashed on the Bulldogs for a 39-35 win.

“This has been a game that we have been looking forward to for so long,” Avon Lake guard Marisa Summefield said. “When (Olmsted Falls) play (North) Ridgeville, I wanted them to beat everybody. We wanted to be the team to stop this streak.”

The Shoregals did not concede a field goal from Olmsted Falls in the fourth quarter. All of its points came from free throws.

PHOTOS: Avon Lake vs. Olmsted Falls girls basketball, Jan. 13, 2024

“(This game) was really nerve-racking, because it’s been (since 2020) someone in the SWC has beat (Olmsted Falls)," Avon Lake's Claire Spring said. "I felt like it was a huge game for us. We were really nervous, but I felt like we kept our composure. We knew that defense was going to stop them.”

Avon Lake assigned Izzie Polinko to Olmsted Falls All-Ohio guard Danielle Cameron and also helped out when needed on screens.

Summerfield was one of those players who jumped in front of a pass intended for Cameron with less than a minute left. Summerfield was fouled and sent to the line, which helped put the game away.

“Danielle (Cameron) is their best player,” Summerfield said. “I knew that in the last seconds in the game, that they were going to try to get it to Danielle to hit a big shot. I saw that girl eyeing her down. Right when she threw it, I jumped and stole it.”

Summerfield converted 4-of-6 free throws in the fourth quarter to help make it a two-possession game down the stretch.

Avon Lake trailed Olmsted Falls, 12-4, in the first quarter. Looking for a spark in its offense Bree Jones (seven points) knocked down two 3-pointers and a free-throw for the momentum needed to trail, 19-15, at halftime.

“As a team, it is good to get everyone involved. The energy in the (gym) gave me that confidence. I think my teammates picked me up throughout the whole game,” Jones said.

Olmsted Falls dropped to 9-3 (6-1 in the SWC). Its last loss to a conference opponent was against Amherst, 35-33, in a Division I district semifinal.

Shoregals coach Paul Appel was an assistant coach for Westlake, who was in the SWC at the time, when it handed Olmsted Falls a 38-37 loss that was its last SWC game in the regular season.

Avon Lake improved to 12-2 (6-1 in SWC) with its ninth win in the past 10 games.

Summerfield led Avon Lake with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists. Springer scored nine points, with six rebounds.

Maddie Cerovac was Olmsted Falls' leading scorer with 11 points and Cameron scored 10 points. This was a tough loss for Olmsted Falls, and Coach Jordan Eaton felt he could have done a better job.

“I didn’t coach a very good game today and that is exactly what it was …” he said. “In reflection, I didn’t call time out at the right times. I didn’t call the right defenses, I changed defenses when we shouldn’t have. I didn’t run thing that were effective against their defense. I’m not taking anything away from Avon Lake today. … Overall, I did not do my job today.”

At halftime, Avon Lake and Olmsted Falls watched the 1994 state championship team be honored for its achievement, with a record of 27-0. This came after a run to the final four a year prior. This was the first time since the team’s hall of fame induction in 1999 that Coach Amy Manco saw many of her players. Seeing her players with their families was a good feeling.

“As a teacher and a coach, you hope that you can see kids in the future as they grow up,” she said. “You hope that you instill something in them that they have a little piece of you that they carry along and they keep building on it in their family life.”

In the Division II state championship game, Stacey Fifer made the game-winning shot to win, 41-39, against Cincinnati Roger Bacon.

“We were a tight-knit group back then. Just to be able to see everyone’s faces now, it’s like taking us back to when we were together back in the day,” Fifer said.

The celebration along with the hype of the game brought an electric atmosphere to the gymnasium.

“It was so nice to celebrate with the 94 team and everything that they were able to do (at Avon Lake),” Appel said. “It is a lot of fun to be here. It was a great high school basketball environment. It sort of pushed us over the edge in certain moments.

Coach Eaton was excited when he heard that it was being held and believes more people should watch high level girls basketball.

Instead of taking the team into the locker room at halftime, Olmsted Falls, a team that was one win away from winning its own state championship last year, showed a sign of sportsmanship to watch the 1994 team be honored.

“What the 1994 girls basketball team did is a good feat,” Eaton said. “We are going to sit here and we are going to honor them and be a part of (Avon Lake’s) celebration. It’s not just Avon Lake vs. Olmsted Falls thing. It’s that one of our area teams won a state championship. It is really special and it's very difficult. We are going to sit there, watch and honor the people that (did) it.”

The Panthers decided to bring in another person with NFL experience. On Jan. 12, they confirmed they were hiring former Cleveland Browns player and assistant coach Doug Colman.

“You have to do what other people aren’t doing,” Elyria Catholic Athletic Director Jim Piazza said. “You have to be open-minded to see what is the scenario for Elyria Catholic and Elyria Catholic athletes. You listen and you research. We were really fortunate to be able to get somebody with his caliber to go with what we are coaching in his coaching staff to take our team to the next level.”

Colman will replace former Panthers assistant coach Doran Grant, who departed to be the head coach at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.

“Everything is about timing. Once the news broke with Coach Grant (leaving), the phone started ringing,” Farris said. “We ended up connecting. We sat down and talked for the first time for almost two hours. We really meshed well. He is an amazing guy, with a really prestigious and coaching track record. He is a high-quality coach. We are glad to be able to bring him on staff.”

Elyria Catholic football: St. Vincent-St. Mary hires Elyria Catholic Defensive Coordinator, Ohio State defensive back Doran Grant

The brotherhood has expanded to the Cornhusker state of Nebraska, as Colman won two national championships in 1994 and 1995 as a player.

He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft and played professionally until his final year in 2001. He was a linebacker for the Browns in 2000.

"When you get guys that play at the highest level, how can any of our athletes question on what it takes to be the best," Piazza said. "That is our goal. We want to be the best in everything that we do."

He joined the coaching staff at Nebraska in 2008 and progressed to eventually become an assistant special teams coach for the Browns in 2019.

Colman was a state championship head coach in 2006 at Absegami High School in New Jersey.

In Farris' first year at Elyria Catholic, the Panthers went 3-7 (1-4 in GLC West).