by NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio – The Avon Eagles used their run and gun attack to continue to soar today with an impressive 67-58 at North Ridgeville against a very talented Ranger team. I spoke with Coach Maggie Ferrando about why this style been so effective and how the girls have bought in to it, “Ever since I came in here in April, we’ve been talking about that kind of style, I really think in June it was still new, but they began to take a liking to it. It is a fun way to play and get kids in as we make everyone a part of the game”.
Molly Drenik is back in full force this year and making plays all over the court, coach Ferrando had this to say about why Drenik is a gamechanger, “Molly is a total beast on the boards, and very unselfish as well. She hurt her ankle once, taped it up and still played, she is tough!”
Drenik finished the game with 15 points for the Eagles, as she had 14 of those points in the paint as she was a force down low. Anna Fitch has always been known for her incredible defense, but overtime, her offense has become a serious weapon as well. Fitch finished with 5 points and several key assists, while fellow senior leader Brooke Laub put in 8, including 6 points from long range.
Another reason the Eagles are so tough this year is the deep roster of scorers as several newer faces have stepped up big time this year. Names such as Era Bengu with 5, Amelia Holbrook with 11, Mackenzie Ptacek with 9 and Madigan O’Leary with 11 points. Saria Kittelberger finished the scoring for the Eagles with 4 as a total of 8 Avon Eagles found the scoresheet.
The Rangers put up 58 points, which 9 times out of 10 will win you the game, or get you a lot closer to winning it. They saw huge performances from Brooke Lime with 9 points from downtown in the second half as they attempted to comeback. Kat Crevda had 13 big points while Maddie Eldridge had 5 and Payton Palcisko along with CC Bouman and Kailey Shultz had 2 each. The Rangers were once again led by Grace Kingery who finished with 23 points and had 15 in the first half to keep it close.
Speaking of the first half, both teams brought everything they had and matched each other big shot for big shot for 16 straight heart pounding moments of thrilling girls basketball action. The momentum swung back and forth more times than a heavyweight prize fight. A thunderous finish to the quarter saw three balls drained by O’Leary, Holbrook and Fitch of the Eagles to counter the monstrous quarters from Grace Kingery and Kat Crevda of North Ridgeville, to land the Eagles on top 24-21 after one.
Things didn’t settle down in the second as the Eagles built a lead, only to see the Rangers comeback to tie at 30 after a Grace Kingery 3 ball. The Eagles would go on to lead 34-32 at the break. After the Eagles built a 7 point lead minutes into the second half, back-to-back three’s from Brooke Lime and Maddie Eldridge cut the lead to 1, but the Rangers would never be that close again as the Eagles began to pull away. They used a third quarter that saw 6 Eagles score to pull away 54-47 after three.
The Rangers would go on a mini run late into the fourth quarter, to pull it within 4 at 60-56, but couldn’t get any closer as the Eagles hung on for the 67-58 victory.
The Rangers will now host the Strongsville Mustangs Monday night, while Avon will host Olmsted Falls on Wednesday night.
