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What a tremendous game today in Westlake as it is a shame there had to be a loser in this epic battle. In the end, the Demons held on for a thrilling 47-41 victory in a game that saw several momentum changes and plenty of emotion. This is a game I will never forget as the intensity was off the charges. It was so emotional, so intense, I felt like I was calling a heavyweight title fight.
Katie Whitesell foul shots sealed it late, as she finished with 13 points on the night, with 7 of those from the charity stripe. You need your senior guards to step up and they did tonight for both teams. Gigi Redinger of Westlake had 8 while Summer Salem had 13 points. Maddy Rosado had 11 for the Rangers as well.
Foul shots were the order of the day as Payton Palcisko of Ridgeville hit 2 in the fourth quarter while fellow Rangers Grace Kingery had 4 for the game, to go with her 10 total points. Daylan Baker had 9 total points with 3 from the line. Morgan Kress of Westlake sunk 3 foul shots on her way to a 7-point night. Abbie Gardner had all 3 of her points from the line as well.
The Rangers started the game on a 5-0 run with a Kerr three ball and the Baker basket. From there the rest of the first quarter was all Demons as they went off. The Demons would go on a 12-0 run complete with a technical called on the Rangers bench.
The 12-point run would stop thanks to a Grace Kingery free throw. The quarter would finish 14-6 Demons. An early Taylor Gregor three ball seemed to spark the Demons. Gregory had a tremendous night on defense as well.
The technical foul was called because of a “three in the key” being requested. Something that has been shouted from coaches and parents for the last 40 years in High School gyms around the world, is suddenly a technical.
The official decided to grab a little more attention for himself by “T”ing up Westlake Head Coach Cory Rojeck for questioning a call. You hate to see this in such a great game because it forces each coach to have to sit down and coach instead of stand. Just a real shame considering how good both head coaches are, they should never be limited.
The Rangers would cut the lead to 20-17 as Kingery began to get hot with 7 in the quarter. The Demons would extend it to 22-17 by the half. Gigi Redinger had 4, and both Kress and Gardner had 2 each. Gigi Redinger seemed to drive the lane at will all night when she had the look.
After the Rangers cut the lead to 22-21 to start the second half, the Demons began to take control. 3 quick points from the dynamic duo of Whitesell and Gardner were followed up by a three ball from Summer Salem to push the lead out to 28-21. Down 32-23 with time running out in the quarter, it was Brynnley Kerr nailing her second three of the game to cut the lead to 32-26 heading into the fourth.
Westlake led 43-36 with under a minute to go and things began to get wild. Daylan Baker would sink two clutch foul shots and make it 43-38. Then, moments later they would create a Demon turnover to get the all back and Rosado struck with a three ball to cut it to 43-41 with 30 seconds to go.
Up by 2 with the lead shrinking and the clock running seems to be when Coach Rojeck has his Demons at their best. They would protect the ball, run the clock and hit foul shots, (4 by Whitesell) to seal the deal and bring home another tight victory. Coach Rojecks Demons continue to shine in close games down the stretch.
My player of the game tonight is Gigi Redinger. I have been covering this young lady for three years, and this is the best and most complete game I have seen her play.
