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Avon, OH – 3 years ago, Molly Drenik was seeing considerable minutes as a freshman for the Avon Eagles. Then head coach Meghan Larrick had the foresight to know the potential in Drenik. Now with new head coach Maggie Ferrando at the helm, Drenik and the Eagles continue to soar. This was never more evident then in the Eagles 61-20 victory over Elyria Wednesday night on Senior night.
Dreniks 10 points and overall play in the first half, helped the Eagles build a 36-10 lead by the break. Not only was it Drenik but also Era Bengu going off against Elyria with 19 total points including 6 from long range. These two moved with ease and controlled the paint and also perimeter at will.
Here is how well coached this team is, and has been for many years, everyone on the roster is a threat. Last night, 10 Eagles scored in the win, and their normal top scorers Brooke Laub and Grace Mangan combined for only 2 points. That alone shows you how deep and dangerous this team is. Abby Owens and Emma Owens had 6 each, while Elena Agostin, Mackenzie Ptacek, Madigan O’Leary and Elizabeth Hammond each had 4. Grace Mangan and Sarai Kittelberger rounded out the scoring with 2 each.
I’ll say it again, every season is going to have it’s ups and downs, but this Eagle team is starting to soar at the right time. They are loaded from top to bottom, and coached very well. There are no first year “jitters” or learning curve with Ferrando, she knows the game and knows it well! She was tailor made for this exact role! They went from a great coach in Larrick, to a great coach in Ferrando. This is why year in and year out, Avon continues to do well in every sport. Eric Frombach is a tremendous AD, and the school continues to shine because of it.
The first four minutes were extremely close as it stood 7-7. The Pioneers overcame a sweltering full court press to get buckets from Lunn, Hendrix and Miller to keep it even. The thunderous pressure was felt from Avon however and it led to quick points from Agostin and Bengu as well. The Eagles then used a commanding full court press again to run the lead out to 17-7 with 10 quick points, 6 of which coming from Molly Drenik. The Eagles would lead 21-7 after one as they finished with 4 straight from Emma Owens to complete the 14-0 run.
Elyria stopped the run at 16-0 following a T’Asia Easley layup after the Madigan O’Leary bucket had made it 16 straight from Avon to open the second quarter. The rest of the quarter was all Eagles however as they finished the first half with a commanding 36-10 lead after Bengu had 5 in the quarter, to tie Drenik for a first half leading score of 10 each.
Bengu lifted the lid to the second half with a three ball, and the Eagles were off and soaring again! The quarter ended with Avon up 52-17 as Bengu had 6 more while Emma Owens finished the frame with 6 more herself.
Avon went on to roll from there, capturing the 61-20 victory. Leading the Pioneers in scoring was Hannah Miller with 8 as she continues to stroke it from deep. Maria Lunn, Hayli Hendrix, T’Asia Easley and Kloie troutman all had 2 each while Jae’Nya Witherspoon finished with 3 and Reginae Swanson with 1.
Avon next plays this Saturday as they host North Ridgeville. A game our Reese Wamer will be at to cover. Elyria will be hosting Olmsted Falls.
