by Barberton, Ohio – It has been said time and time again that big time players make big time plays. That was never more true than in Friday night’s regional championship.
Sophomore forward Saniyah Hall scored 31 points as the Laurel Gators defeated the Streetsboro Rockets, 53-32, for their first regional championship since 2021.
In the first quarter, Hall showed why she is one of the top players in the Class of 2026. She got things going with a jumper, then followed up with a triple, and then another bucket, to put Laurel ahead 7-0.
Hall scored another pair of baskets, and sank another triple in the frame, and Laurel led, 14-0. However, in addition to Hall’s efforts, the defense stepped up as well, forcing turnover after turnover, keeping Streetsboro out of rhythm.
“Our coach told us that defense wins games and offense sells tickets. We came out here and gave the best effort we could on defense.” – Saniyah Hall
The Rockets got their first bucket at the 7:52 mark of the second quarter thanks to Naomi Benson. After a Nyla Edwards basket for Laurel, Olivia Johnson-Wilson scored a layup to make the score 16-4. Johnson-Wilson had another basket and free throw, and Streetsboro saw their deficit at 16-7.
That was as close as the Rockets got the rest of the way, as Laurel outscored Streetsboro 11-5 the duration of the quarter. Saniyah Hall scored nine more points for a total of 23 in the first half, as the Gators led 27-12, at the half.
The Laurel defense held Streetsboro to two field goals in the third, and knocked down three triples in the stanza. Jordan Meyer sank two of them, and Olivia Schneider the other.
Streetsboro outscored Laurel, 12-11, in the final frame, but by then, the game was already in hand.
Laurel advances to the state semifinals, where they will play against Proctorville Fairland on Friday, March 15th, at 11am at the University of Dayton Arena. Their journey continues with a roster comprised mainly of freshmen and sophomores.
“We’ve had to overcome a lot of adversity, we’re young, but we are starting to peak at the right time.” – said head coach Terrina Robinson.
Streetsboro finishes their season at 23-5. The Rockets had an incredible season, clinching the Metro Conference for the first time in school history. They also won their first district championship, knocking off conference foe Norton last Saturday, and beat St. Vincent-St. Mary on Tuesday. Junior guard Naomi Benson, who also has multiple Division I offers of her own, had 13 points to pace the Rockets.
Full highlights below:
