by Lutheran West’s Becky Mooney-Thompson Wins KOS Chagrin Valley Conference Coach of the Year
NORTH RIDGEVILLE, OH – The first Division 4 Region 13 District Championship slated the Laurel Gators against the Lutheran West Longhorns. Laurel was led by the sharp shooting of Liv Schneider, and the all-around play of Tristan Williams. Schneider and Williams each scored 18 points in the contest. For Schneider, it came all on 3-point baskets while Williams did all her damage inside the arc.
Laurel got off to a fast start scoring the first 22 points of the contest. Liv Schneider led the way for the Gators in the opening quarter. She knocked down 4 of her 5 3-point attempts to give her 12 points in the frame. Defensively, the Gators forced 8 turnovers from Lutheran West, giving them ample opportunities for fast break points. Aliciana Medina got the first basket for Lutheran West with a 3-ball. However, the Longhorns trailed big, 27-5 after one quarter of play.
The Gators did not let up in the 2nd quarter. Ohio Ms. Basketball hopeful Tristan Williams followed her 8 points in the first with another 8 in the 2nd. Laurel forced another 5 turnovers in the quarter, giving the Longhorns 13 turnovers at the break. Khloe Gill was a bright spot for Lutheran West off the bench. She scored 5 points and grabbed 2 boards in the quarter. FreshmanAbrie Pruitt showed as well that heart is greater than height. As the smallest player on the floor, she grabbed 2 rebounds in the quarter, one of which was an offensive rebound that led to a Gill basket. Thanks to the continued success Laurel had getting shots to fall, they held a 49-14 lead heading into the halftime locker room.
With a running clock in the entire 2nd half, there was not nearly as much scoring as the first half saw. Laurel won the 3rd quarter, scoring 17 points compared to the Longhorns’ 4. The Gators, led by head coach David Meyer, showed why they are the number one seed in the region all game long. Laurel continued to extend their lead heading into the 4th quarter.
Laurel once again outscored the Longhorns in the final quarter. This time by a score of 11-7. Addy Esposito was a bright spot for the Longhorns in the 2nd half, scoring all 9 of her points in the final 2 quarters. Kemy Cistone got going for the Gators as well. All 9 of her points came in the 2nd half for Laurel. With the victory, Laurel advanced to the Region 13 semi-finals in Canton on March 4th.
Despite the loss, Lutheran West had an incredible season with their best regular season record since 2019-20, and their best overall record since 2017-18. There will be big things to come for Coach Becky Mooney-Thompson and the Longhorns in the future.
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Laurel Guard Tristan Williams – 18 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 5 steals
ALL STATS ARE UNOFFICIAL
Lutheran West’s Becky Mooney-Thompson Wins KOS Chagrin Valley Conference Coach of the Year
