Bay Outlasts North Olmsted Eagles on Military Appreciation Day 

North Olmsted, OH: The Bay Rockets (9-8) claimed a 43-36 win over the North Olmsted Eagles (6-10) in a competitive conference girls’ basketball game on Military Appreciation Day. Both teams battled intensely, with each quarter showcasing defensive grit and timely scoring. 

First Quarter 

The game started slowly, with neither team scoring for nearly four minutes. Peyton Johnson finally broke the ice for the Eagles with a layup, but Bay’s Quinn O’Leary responded with a three-pointer following a missed transition layup. Shelley Gray hit one of two free throws for North Olmsted, while Anna Weingart drained a three for Bay to extend their lead. Taylor Wengstrom came off the bench to hit a three for the Eagles, providing a spark. The Eagles forced a turnover with strong defense, but Sarah Hein’s putback layup and Grace Manoloff’s three-pointer helped the Rockets close the quarter up 11-6. 

Second Quarter 

Another slow start marked the second quarter, with nearly two minutes passing before Wengstrom knocked down a three for the Eagles. Katie Strong followed with a layup for North Olmsted, but Trefz answered for Bay with a three-pointer and a layup after a timeout. Julia Tahsin kept the Eagles in the game with a three of her own. Defensive intensity ramped up, with Maddie Bigler picking up her third foul and Wengstrom delivering a highlight-worthy block. An injury to Hein caused a brief stoppage, after which both teams switched to full-court pressure. Late in the quarter, Chilton and Lesh scored for Bay, while Gray hit two free throws to pull the Eagles within one. Bay led 20-19 at halftime. 

Third Quarter 

Bay came out strong in the third, with Chilton scoring back-to-back layups to extend their lead. Rose Lane kept the Eagles in the game with a layup off a smooth assist from Morgan Outrich, but O’Leary quickly countered with a layup for Bay. Lane earned a trip to the free-throw line and converted both shots, but Trefz and Manoloff answered with baskets for the Rockets. Both teams leaned heavily on their full-court press, leading to a scrappy and defensive quarter. The Rockets maintained a 34-27 lead heading into the fourth. 

Fourth Quarter 

The Eagles opened the final quarter with renewed energy, as Wengstrom hit a floater and Lane scored multiple layups, including an and-one opportunity. Lane also drew a charge, giving North Olmsted a chance to narrow the gap. However, O’Leary’s midrange jumper and another layup from Chilton helped Bay maintain their lead. Despite Gray’s multiple trips to the free-throw line, the Eagles couldn’t complete the comeback. The Rockets’ defense held strong down the stretch, securing the 43-36 victory. 

Moving Forward 

Bay’s victory keeps them above .500 as they look to build momentum heading into the latter part of the season. With solid performances from Chilton and a balanced offensive approach, the Rockets have the tools to compete with the top teams in their conference. For North Olmsted, Lane’s leadership and Wengstrom’s shooting highlight the potential of a team that has struggled to close out games. If the Eagles can limit turnovers and capitalize on their defensive efforts, they could turn their season around in the coming matchups. 

Players of the Game 

For North Olmsted, Lane led the way with 9 points, showcasing relentless effort on both ends of the court. For Bay, Chilton dominated inside, scoring 12 points and providing the Rockets with key baskets when it mattered most.