THIS WEEK ONLY, ANY SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO CONTACTS US WITH THE DISCOUNT CODE (#SWC) WILL RECEIVE A 50% DISCOUNT ON THEIR 2024 SPONSORSHIP

Cover photo by David Chopcinski of ECI Photography

CLICK HERE IF YOU’RE COLD – https://climate-tech.com/b/?utm_campaign=keeon-sports-partnership&utm_medium=website&utm_source=keeon-sports

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, OH – Maddie Eldridge had ice water in her veins with the game on the line and her at the line facing two clutch free throw attempts, she calmly nailed them both to seal the North Ridgeville Rangers 52-49 victory over the red-hot Avon Lake Shoregals tonight.

This was a matchup of the two of the best teams in the SWC this year, and North Ridgeville swept the season series with Avon Lake, handing them only their second SWC loss.  Avon Lake, was fresh off the massive win against Olmsted Falls over the weekend.

I spoke with Maddie after the game, who explained how the two three pointers early in the game, gave her confidence to sink crucial shots later, “Those shots early were a game changer for my confidence and gave us fuel”, said Eldridge.

Maddie plays volleyball in the fall and is one of the top players in the state as she is headed to Mount Union next year, she touched on how the conditioning of being a multisport athlete pays off in situations like this, “There is no off season for me, so it keeps me in my varsity spirit ready to go.”

The two foul shots by Eldridge came with less than 30 seconds to go, to give them the 52-49 advantage and proved to be crucial because that was the last time North Ridgeville touched the ball.  Maddie talked about the moment, “It feels great, my team always has my back, so it was nice to step up and have theirs to come home with the win. “

Grace Kingery, a Ball State commit, was her usual tough self-tonight, finishing with 27 points, despite having Olivia Miller draped all over her playing incredible defense.  Kingery talks about the importance of tonight and the ability to score when the defense is focused on her, “I get to the hole and try to be the stronger player with all the work I put in the offseason to get stronger.  This was a very big win and boosts are confidence to move forward.”

Eldridge finished with 8 points on two clutch three pointers, and then even bigger foul shots late.  Lime, played superior defense as the ironman tonight, but also finished with 5 points.  Kailey Schulz and CC Bouman had 2 each while Macie Miller scored 5 and Reyna Balderas scored 3.

The Shoregals were paced once again by Olivia Miller with 12 and Olivia Tobin with 11.  All 11 points for Tobin coming in the first half. Claire Springer also had 11 hard earned points scoring from just about everywhere tonight while Bre Jones and Izzie Polinko each scored 3 and Marisa Summerfield finished with 9.  Summerfield did her damage at the line, going 4 of 4 from the stripe.

After Avon Lake began the game with a 7-2 lead, the Rangers went on a 9-0 run fueled by 7 of those from Kingery.  Polinko had the quick answer for the Shoregals, hitting a three before Maddie Eldridge quickly answered with one of her own as the Rangers held a 14-10 lead after one.

After taking a 31-26 lead into halftime, the Rangers got another three from Eldridge to extend the lead to 34-27 a few moments into the second half, before Avon Lake went on a 10- 2 run to capture their first lead of the second half.  The Rangers battled back again, and retook the lead, winning 43-39 after three quarters.

Avon Lake went on a 7-3 run to start the fourth quarter as we were all tied at 46.  It was then that the Rangers defense clamped down, tied the game, led by a point, and then iced it with the foul shots from Eldrige.

Avon Lake Battles Back in 4th Quarter to Beat Olmsted Falls 39-35