by Barberton — The Elyria Pioneers outlasted the Canton McKinley Bulldogs 50-46 to advance to their first regional appearance since 2017.
The first quarter was a sign of what was to come in the contest — a game of runs. Canton McKinley opened the game with a 4-0 run before Elyria answered with a 6-0 run, only for the Bulldogs to respond with a 6-0 run of their own. Elyria ended the quarter with a Kendyll Compton three-pointer but trailed 10-9 after the opening frame.
In the second quarter, the Bulldogs extended their lead. The scoring came from a pack of Bulldogs, as six different players had at least one basket find the bottom of the net. Defensively, 6-foot-8 senior Jamar Keyes made it difficult for the Pioneers to score inside, blocking multiple Elyria shots.
Elyria’s leading scorer Kendyll Compton, who also provided the Pioneers with much-needed size against the bigger Bulldogs, found himself on the bench with three fouls with 4:56 remaining in the half.
Canton McKinley took a 26-21 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Compton began to put the game on his shoulders for the Pioneers. He scored eight of his game-high 21 points in the quarter, including a free throw that gave Elyria its first lead since early in the second quarter.
The teams continued to exchange leads like they had all night and ended the quarter the only way that seemed appropriate, tied at 37 apiece.
In the fourth quarter, the Pioneers opened with a 4-0 run to take a 41-37 lead before Canton McKinley took a timeout.
The Bulldogs responded with a 6-0 run of their own to reclaim the lead at 43-41 before Elyria junior Tink Shelton buried a three-pointer that sent the Elyria faithful into a frenzy and flipped the momentum of the game.
From that point on, the Pioneer defense played lights-out, stopping every possible attack from the Bulldogs despite the size disadvantage.
Canton McKinley was forced to foul and hope for missed free throws and quick offense, but they fouled the wrong player. Kendyll Compton calmly went four-for-four from the free throw line in the closing seconds to seal the victory.
With the win, the Pioneers advance to their first regional appearance since 2017. Elyria will face an old Greater Cleveland Conference and Northern Ohio Conference foe in the Brunswick Blue Devils Wednesday night at James A. Rhodes Arena on the campus of the University of Akron.
Player of the Game — Elyria’s Kendyll Compton:
Compton finished with 21 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. He also went four-for-four from the free throw line in the final seconds to help clinch the win for the Pioneers.
