by Olmsted Falls, fresh off a state championship in women’s basketball just a year ago, faced the Brush Lady Arcs in a showdown at the Cleveland Basketball Classic. To sum it up, it could potentially go down as one of the most exciting games of the season, and the season has just started!
A true defensive battle, the score remained 24-21 at halftime making it anybody’s game. This was one for the books folks, with both teams showing their grit and determination throughout the entire game.
A back and forth contest, both teams found themselves tied with 1:30 left in the 3rd quarter. Chaniyra McDowell-Isaacs, sophomore guard of the Lady Arcs, hit a monster shot in a 4-point play to up the score to 38-36. Grace Largent, a sophomore guard/forward from the Lady Bulldogs answered back with a 3-pointer of her own early in the 4th quarter to take the lead 39-38.
The energy was everywhere, with chants from the Brush bench encouraging their team to “D-up”. 6’4″ Jakalyn Brown of the Lady Arcs, a junior center, snatched up every rebound in sight. A tied game with 5:30 left in regulation, the defensive battle continued with no side giving even an inch. Tatiana Mason hit a critical mid range jumper as the Bulldogs seemed like they were beginning to unravel.
But, Avery DiLisio of the Bulldogs hit a massive “and-one” to bring the game within a point, the three-pointers were flying left and right. Emma Schaefer hit a critical shot whilst getting fouled bringing the score to 50-48. Jesse Simon of the Bulldogs hit two critical foul shots to bring the lead back to 52-50.
With 30 seconds to go, Schaefer hit two free throws to bring the lead up to 4. Tatiana Mason of Brush hit what looked to be a 3 pointer from half court to bring the score to 55-53 with 9 seconds left.
Avery DeLisio and Jesse Simon both lead the Bulldogs with 13 points a piece, with Cerovac scoring 10, Schaefer with 8, Largent with 9, and Nagy with 3.
On the Brush side, Tatiana Mason led her team with 16 while teammate Nyla Mason had 15, Ferreria with 8, McDowell-Isaacs with 6, Brown with 8, and Lyles with 3.
Olmsted Falls held on to win an exciting contest 55-53. WHAT. A. GAME.
