by “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit. We have already claimed victory in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
On Friday night, two schools located 30 seconds apart by drive, 2 minutes by walk, will drive 45 minutes down 71 South to compete in one of the biggest basketball games in years. Rocky River will take on Magnificat for the District Championship. You can call it, “The Battle of Wagar Road” if you want, but quite honestly, it’s just two really good programs, with coaches who care, work hard and it spills over onto the talent on the court.
I’ve personally had the blessing of covering both schools multiple times this season and have been impressed watching them in wins and in losses, as I’ve seen them do both. I’d like to take this moment to talk to you about the Rocky River Pirates.
Before we can look to the present and the future, I want to take a step back and look at the past. Elaine Robinson was a tremendous head coach for Rocky River. She helped build a program that is one of the best not only in the area, but now in the state. When she stepped down at the end of last year, along with the graduation of Senior standouts Taylor Spies, Sophia Murray and Kelsey Murphy, it would have been easy for Rocky River to hang there head, and take a step back, they haven’t!
In fact, they did the exact opposite and are better this year then even expected. We were sold on this team game one, night one, when they overcame a 24-8 deficit against an extremely talented Hathaway Brown team. The Lady Pirates had them right where they wanted them. They came back to win 35-32 using relentless defense, relentless aggression, relentless passion, and they have never looked back since!
Time and time again this season, they would fall behind in a game, only to work their way back into a victory. They trailed North Ridgeville during the holiday tournament, only to come back and win. This is a team that doesn’t let up, no matter the score, they just keep coming. They’re impossible not to love and root for.
Head Coach Jamey Pfahl has a remarkable staff around him that has helped tremendously. One of which is assistant coach Hammond, who runs the defense. The system has been so smooth, and has shut down some of the best offenses in the state.
The Lady Pirates come into this game with a 19-5 record, but 3 of their losses came to basketball powerhouses such as Laurel, Elyria Catholic and St. Joes. I was at the Laurel game and they hung with them late. They have also beaten such premier talent as Avon Lake, Strongsville and Hathaway Brown.
They are battle tested and I compare them to a piece of tempered steel. You don’t break tempered steel. Each nick, each burn, each imperfection, makes them tough, makes them ready, makes them relentless!
Now, Magnificat is absolutely loaded, anyone who has seen them play can tell you that. I’d put my name behind the fact that Sophia Wilson and Julia Hall are two of the best underclassmen in the State. Place them alongside the leadership of Abby Rosol, the sharp shooting of Katie Maryo, the overall skill of Brynn and Reese Roggenburk, the loaded bench featuring defensive gem JaCaia Onuwor along with Gemma Wichmann and Elizabeth Spicer, and they are deadly.
Coach Pfahl will have the Pirates ready for the test of their life. He has been waiting for this moment all year and the biggest stars shine the brightest under the most important lights on the biggest stage. They have defeated teams from the SWC such as North Ridgeville, Avon, Avon Lake to name a few. They have defeated teams from the GCC as well. This is just another test along the way.
Rocky River is deeply talented too with no shortage of threats. Team leader and captain Ava Patti who is only a Junior, finished with a per game stat line of 14.9 pts, 8.9 reb, 1.7 ast 3.5 stl. Ava is a team Captain and leader. Ava was Honorable Mention All Ohio as a Freshmen, and All Ohio Special Mention as a Sophomore. Ava Patti is no doubt one of the best players in the State of Ohio and will only continue to get better.
Senior Captain Annika Mocho had a per game stat line of 5’8″: 9.9 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.7 ast 3.2 stl and when she gets going, can take a game over. Mocho is no stranger to the big moment and needs no encouragement to take the big shot, going back to last year, she can be counted on.
While Mocho and Patti make up one of the best one two combinations you will find, they have a ton of support around them. Rocky River is known for defense, but when you mix in the dynamic duo of Patti and Mocho with the supporting cast of Natalie Swallow, Kylie Crane, Maeve Kelley and Mackenzie Russell, they can score punches in bunches too!
Fellow team captain Natalie Swallow, is a threat from outside and when she gets hot, watch out! Kylie Crane and Maeve Kelley are a constant on the boards and make the opposition work for every shot and board. Mackenzie Russell is sneaky quick and no stranger to a breakaway bucket. When they came back to beat Hathaway Brown, Russell was everywhere! I didn’t even mention Emmy Convery who proves that stats don’t always tell the full story by constantly doing the little things to help this team succeed.
Like the Blue Streaks, the Pirates are deep, and don’t be surprised if you hear the names of Hazel Allen, Claudia Rocho, Maria Pfahl, Haddie Holton and Lenore Wright called upon as well! This is a team from top to bottom.
They have heart, they have hustle, they have discipline, they have it!
The Pirates tip off tomorrow night at 7pm. Kee On Sports will have full coverage of this game along with the Midview vs Brunswick game at Valley Forge and the Olmsted Falls vs Avon Lake game at Elyria Catholic.
1 – Two fantastic schools. Private versus Public means nothing with this one. It’s two quality groups of human beings.
2 – They should play it in St. Christophers middle school gym and let everyone come for free. That would be AMAZING
3 – McKee, wow, they label you the “SWC Guy” but you sure nailed both these teams every time I read you covering them this year. It’s time to leave SWC for the GLC, GCC and privates sir. We NEED someone like you!
4 – Good luck to both schools!