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The Olmsted Falls Lady Bulldogs opened tournament play in dominant fashion, overwhelming Valley Forge Patriots from the opening tip. The Bulldogs couldn’t miss in the first quarter, scoring at will while forcing turnover after turnover on the defensive end. Their relentless pressure and red-hot shooting quickly put the game out of reach, as Olmsted Falls stormed to a commanding 28-3 lead by the end of the first quarter. The second quarter brought more of the same — suffocating defense, transition buckets, and complete control on both ends of the floor.
The night, however, belonged to Jesse Simon. In all my years covering and playing the game, I don’t believe any other girl in the state of Ohio could have stopped her from doing whatever she wanted offensively tonight. She was otherworldly. With 15 seconds left in the first half, Simon drilled a three-pointer to give her 34 points on the night and, more importantly, surpass 1,000 career points at Olmsted Falls — an incredible milestone. The moment was unforgettable. Teammates rushed the floor and dog-piled her in celebration. Smiles filled the gym as she embraced teammates and coaches before play resumed. By halftime, the Bulldogs held an astonishing 54-5 lead.
With the outcome well in hand, Coach Eaton turned to his deep bench in the second half, giving valuable tournament experience to players throughout the roster. Most starters, including Simon, got well-earned rest as the Bulldogs continued to extend the lead. Eleven of the fourteen Olmsted Falls players found the scoring column, while the remaining three contributed meaningful minutes in a true team effort.
The Bulldogs closed out the night with an 83-15 victory and will now face the John Marshall Lawyers in the District Finals on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Berea-Midpark High School. If this performance was any indication, Olmsted Falls looks more than ready for the next challenge.
