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Perseverance is defined as – persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
In 2020, the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs were one of the best teams in the area. Fresh off a dominant SWC season that saw them only lose one game on a buzzer beater, they were picked by many to go down to state. Danielle Stevens, their senior leader, got hurt during the final game of the regular season and they ended up getting knocked off in the district semi’s, (Super Tuesday) against Amherst.
Despite the injury, they made no excuses, they never do, instead they worked harder, they persevered and returned better in 2021. I’ll never forget that 2021 team, my personal favorite as they were seven deep like no other team I have ever seen with Grace Simon, Lauren Galaska, Allison Milligan (Millison) the three senior leaders. Paige Kohler and Mia Kalich, the best two Sophomores in the state, along with an incredible bench that featured juniors Sara Glover and Lauren Noernberg.
After beating Avon in a 28-27 thriller to win the District Championship they would eventually get knocked off by a buzzsaw named Van Slooten in the Regional Championship. They didn’t complain, they never do, instead they worked harder, they persevered.
Last year, they rolled through the SWC once again and continued to gel as Paige Kohler and Mia Kalich were dominant. They even played in the Classic in the Country, where some “interesting officiating” that day, assisted with a fourth quarter lead dwindling away. Just in time, to drive home two plus hours in an absolute blizzard. They didn’t complain, they worked harder, they persevered.
Coming into this season, there was a lot of talk that this, “could be the year they get beat”, it wasn’t! Even with Midview playing at top caliber, head coach Jordan Eaton had his girls ready to roll, and they did, sweeping the season series from the Middies. They didn’t listen to the talk of silly sportswriters saying “what happens when”, they played the game, they won, they persevered.
This journey to the State Final Four in Dayton started years ago, this is not a one-year overnight thing. It started when Mia Kalich and Paige Kohler showed up as freshman’s and bonded with the rest of the team. The elder classmen took these two in, and they gelled, learning how to lead from them. It all matters, every bus ride, every practice, every out of state tournament, it matters!
This team, this program, this culture reminds me of the 2004 Detroit Pistons, and let me explain why. The Pistons were heavy underdogs coming into the NBA Finals against the star laden LA Lakers. The Lakers were known for high profile superstars such as Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton. The Pistons beat them soundly in 5 games, and did so, because they were the better TEAM. Olmsted Falls wins game after game because they are the better, “TEAM”.
The Pistons won the series and the title because they didn’t have any ego’s. They were playing for each other, this Olmsted Falls program plays for each other and has for as long as I have been covering them. It’s not a cliché, it’s not a slogan, in Olmsted Falls, playing for one another is life!
Mia Kalich is the most underrated player in the state. She is absolutely incredible and can do anything you need her to. She can take over a game on both ends of the court. She is also one of the most unselfish young players I have ever seen. Kalich can do everything a point guard can do, and a center, just mixed into one incredible player.
When you mix her talent in with the dynamo that is Paige Kohler, they are unstoppable. Paige is so darn good, she can shoot the lights out. She can pass, she can defend, she can lead by example and does. Paige is one of the smartest players on the court. You almost never see her turn the ball over, and she always knows how much time is left on the clock for a final shot per quarter and half. She is the kind of player you would gladly pay to watch play. Paige Kohler is a superstar who carries the same humbleness with her as the 7th girl off the bench. You would never know how good she is by just talking with her, she is the mold you want from your superstar. Incredible on the court, and a leader off it.
Danielle Cameron is just a straight up baller and a flat-out assassin from the outside. If you ever need a big three, a clutch shot and just someone to step up and drain one, get the ball in the hands of Cameron! She took off from game one last year, her sophomore year, and hasn’t looked back. I never thought Olmsted Falls could have a team as good as they did in 2021 with Simon, Galaska, Kohler, Kalich, Milligan, Glover & Noernberg, but I was wrong. Danielle Cameron playing with Kohler and Kalich, makes them the true “Big Three”.
As good as those three are, as good as coach Eaton is, the players I’m going to mention next, stir the drink, and keep the globe spinning on the axis. They are the magic elixir that makes this Olmsted Falls team deadly!
Avery DeLisio
Ally Rumancik
Ava Mahoney
Erin Birch
Jesse Simon
Maddie Cerovac
Emily Scina
Alanna Tighe
Jessica Wolanin
Those may not be the names getting the bulk of the headlines, or the names you see lighting up the box score night in and night out, but that list of names right there, are one of the biggest reasons the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs are playing in Dayton this weekend. It’s takes a team! It’s takes a village! Those names are the backbone as they are at every practice working their butts, off. Those aren’t role players I just named; those are champions!
This is a TEAM from top to bottom, this is a family! Every part is the making of a sum of an incredible whole! They play with such spirit, they play with such passion and team unity, it is impossible not to love and root for!
Speaking of family, I want to give a shoutout to the families of these players for making every game. Dropping them off at practice, picking them up.. And I’m not talking high school basketball either, I’m talking about from the first time they picked up a ball and started practicing in early grade school. These families have been there, and you can see it in their eyes during every dribble, every shot, every loss and every win, they are there!
Their legacy can be summed up in three words, family, teamwork and perseverance.
From everyone at Kee On Sports, we believe in you, we’re behind you, thank you for the memories and go make some more this weekend, don’t stop now!
“Get A Dream, Hold Onto It, And Shoot For The Sky”
-Dusty Rhodes-
