by MEDINA, Ohio– Not only did Jackson win the Federal League during the regular season, they’re now one of 16 teams remaining as they claimed the District Championship behind a 48-39 win over Solon, something head coach Anthony Butch cannot wrap his head around just yet.
“It was a team effort, I don’t know what adjective you want to use to describe this team or this season,” Butch explained with a smile on his face. “Magical. Unbelievable. Nobody gave us a chance to be in this situation.”
FINAL: Jackson defeats Solon to win the District Championship 48-39. @SportsKee1 @Lady_BearsBBall pic.twitter.com/SHlnFOFA6I
— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) March 2, 2024
It was a game of runs throughout the first half of play. The Lady Polar Bears took an early 4-1 lead in the first quarter before Duquesne University commit MacKenzie Blackford and Kaelyn Gaymon started testing their outside shots. Gaymon connected on a couple of corner 3-pointers in the first half and before you knew it, the Lady Comets went on an 8-5 run to tie the game at 9 closing out the first quarter.
From there, Megan Campbell did her best to keep the Polar Bears ahead closing out the first half. She was not afraid to test her 3-point shot as she often got clear looks behind the arc. But, as the Lady Comets did for the majority of the game, they wouldn’t let up.
Blackford starting to find a rhythm and what was once a 19-12 Jackson lead with six minutes left in the first half turned in favor of the Lady Comets. In fact, they would hold Jackson to just one more basket in the final six minutes of the first half as they held a 13-2 scoring advantage during that span to head into halftime with a 24-21 lead.
HALFTIME: Solon 24, Jackson 21.
This bucket from Kaylee Levenhagen gives the Comets a 3-point lead at the break after trailing for most of the first half.@SportsKee1 @levenhagen42 @LadyComets pic.twitter.com/NzNWFwD50B— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) March 2, 2024
Butch and his team pride themselves on their defensive efforts and the way they were able to come out of the break and outscore the Comets 16-8 in the third quarter was something that played a pivotal part in the Bears’ win Friday night.
“This team this season is truly a testimate of a group of girls coming together, playing together, believing in each other, working unbelievably hard and all year it was a defensive effort,” Butch said. “We wanted to hold them under 50 points and we held them under 40 points which is crazy.”
Not only did Megan Campbell make big plays when it mattered the most, but underclassmen such as freshman Ashley Helle, sophomore Madison Lepley and freshman Alexa Pizor were there down the stretch to either help put the game out of reach from the free throw line or knocking down a corner 3-pinter to give their team all the momentum they needed down the stretch.
Even helping get defensive rebounds over 6-foot-4 senior forward Kaylee Levenhagen was something Butch was pleased to see in big moments.
“To put two freshmen in that atmosphere, in that environment…unbelievable and almost unheard of freshmen to do what they did.”
Freshman Ashley Helle with her second 3-pointer of the half. She’s up to 9 points on the night. @SportsKee1 pic.twitter.com/6d6YIyYbTM
— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) March 2, 2024
With Jackson holding a 37-32 lead entering the fourth quarter, Butch emphasized momentum, starting on the defensive side of the ball. His team was able to hold MacKenzie Blackford to just four points in the second half, with her failing to get open looks from behind the arc.
From there, the Lady Bears were able to run through their offense and get buckets from all over the arc and that coupled with forced turnovers became the difference maker in the second half.
“We have great composure, team chemistry and we move the ball well,” Megan Campbell said after the win. “Just keeping our composure is the greatest thing and that’s definitely what kept us in the game.”
Up next for the Lady Bears is a matchup against the winner of Findlay and Anthony Wayne in Sandusky on March 6th.
