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The Avon Eagles only made three shots all night that weren’t a three pointer or a foul shot. Normally, that would be a bad omen, but when you nail 8 three pointers and sink 9 foul shots along with playing air tight defense late, you win. Avon did all of that tonight in a thrilling 39-31 victory over Wadsworth to advance.
The game was much closer then the score would indicate as 13 points by Wadsworth’s Ciena Matheny and 6 from Maggie Long kept it close for the Grizzlies all night. The Eagles were led by great defense from Catie Geiger, and the sharp shooting of Abby Liber with 11 and Alyssa McLellon with 9.
Brooke Laub would also have 11, with 6 of those from the foul line in the second half. Liber had been held in check with only 5 heading into the fourth quarter but nailed two crucial threes in that frame. Also in the fourth Ryan Clapham hit two vital foul shots to help seal it.
After McLellon started the game with a three pointer, the Grizzlies answered back with 8 straight, 7 of which came from Matheny. Catie Geiger had a nice move under the hoop towards the tail end of the quarter to pull the Eagles within 3 at 8-5 after 1.
After a quick 7-3 run by Wadsworth opened the second quarter to put them up 15-8, the Eagles began to soar. Another 3 by McLellon combined with a bucket by Liber and Laub each, tied it at 15. McLellon would stay hot and sink another 3 to give the Eagles their first lead at 18-15, a few moments later it was Liber hitting a three, to put them up 21-15. All of this was part of a 13-0 run. The Eagles would take a 21-16 lead into half.
Not much happened in the third quarter other than 6 team fouls on Avon. The white and black striped shirts were calling it tight on the Purple and Gold this evening folks. Avon was held to just one field goal in the quarter and the period would end with Avon clawing to a 27-23 lead.
Abby Liber leads by example, and when the game gets tight, she is going to step up. She came right out and nailed a three to begin the fourth. A few minutes later when it became close again, she stepped up and nailed another one. She didn’t drive tonight like she usually does, but she found a way. That is just what winners do.
Wadsworth tried, but couldn’t mount a comeback, and the Eagles advanced with the 39-31 win. They will now play at Olmsted Falls Friday Night. Kee On Sports will be sending yours truly to cover that one as well.
