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NORTH OLMSTED, OH – This past week the North Olmsted Middle School Girls Basketball team became the first in school history to advance to the GLC/CWC Conference Championship. The had beaten Bay Village and Greenbriar to reach the finals. This was following back to back 10 plus win seasons as the program has been in great shape going back to 2022.
They played Rocky River at Rocky River Middle School for the CWC Championship. The gym was at standing room only as both sides had huge student sections with more than 10 NOCS staff and admin in attendance including Superintendent Chris Caleris.
The Eagles jumped out to a 5-0 lead off a Deep 3 from Luxie Thompson and a jumper from Cat Sharp. River answered with a run of their own to go up 8-5. Jules Bautista evened it up with a 3 pointer. Teams made their adjustments on defense which lead to N.O. preventing River from a FG in the second quarter. This back and forth battle was just a preview of what was to come as there were more than 10 lead changes in this game.
The second half got off to a great start with a Cat Sharp 3. Rilynn Re and Emma Jonuzaj held down the boards against a much taller River front court and provided a stout defensive front. Esma Shahin opened the 4th quarter with a steal and fastbreak layup to give North Olmsted a 1 point lead in the 4th. Shahin made life miserable for opposing guards all tournament with more than 20 steals in 3 games.
The crowd was now in a constant roar as student sections took turns with “Defense!” Chants back and forth. River hit a deep 3 and an and-1 layup to give River a 4 point lead with just over minute to go. The Eagles took a timeout to draw something up on both ends of the court to try and make up 4 points in seconds.
A quick jumper and free throw from Luxie Thompson cut the lead to 1 with 20.2 seconds left. With a full court press on, Rilynn Re drew a charge to get the Eagles one last shot at the storybook ending with the ball and under 5 seconds on the clock. Unfortunately the buzzer beater attempt did not fall leaving the Eagles 1 point away from their first CWC Championship as River maintains their firm grip on CWC MS GBB dominance.
While River maintains their place at the top of the conference, North Olmsted has made it clear that they are now a factor in the conference race with this being their 4th straight season advancing to the Final Four while averaging 10+ wins over that span. River got the nets this year, but Coach Foley has his scissors ready because it is just a matter of time until the nets come home to NOMS.
Players of the Tournament/Stats
Luxie Thompson-32 points (six 3s)
Cat Sharp -18 points (five 3s)
Esma Shahin- 16 points (20+ steals)
Emma Jonuzaj and Rilynn Re – Defensive Dominance and queens of the rebounds
Jules Bautista- sixth man with amazing defense who sets the energy level.
Team members:
Esma Shahin
Cat Sharp
Luxie Thompson
Rilynn Re
Emma Jonuzaj
Jules Bautista
Addie Riolo
Juju Ortiz
Emily Perog
Katherine Loftis
Nora Hohlakis
Coach Dave Foley.
