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North Ridgeville was able to come away with the victory over Avon, but it was not easy and was a closer game than the score shows. The game started off very physical with both defenses imposing its will. It took a few minutes until either team found a way to get a basket. Grace Kingery was able to ring in six points and give the Rangers a 10-9 lead after one.
The second quarter is where the North Ridgeville offense began to find a rhythm. Maddie Eldridge and Reyna Balderas both were able to knock down a three to give the Rangers a 7-0 start to the second. The Avon defense started to settle down and only allowed three more points after the run. However, the Eagles were only able to score one basket in the quarter and we had a 20-11 game heading to the locker rooms.
The start of the third quarter was very similar to the second. The Rangers knocking down threes. Brooke Lime and Grace Kingery knocked down two triples to extend the lead. But the Eagles would just not go away as Molly Drenik started to dominate the paint scoring six in the frame to keep the game within striking distance. The Rangers led the Eagles 35-25 after three.
At the start of the fourth quarter the triples continued to fall, but this time it was Avon knocking them down. They hit three threes to start to put the pressure on North Ridgeville. Grace Kingery and the Rangers were not fazed as she was able to get to the basket scoring seven points in the quarter and get the Rangers a tough win.
Kingery led the way for the Rangers scoring 21 points.
Coach Esser said after the game “ At the beginning we were playing in quicksand, but we were able to settle in and knock down shots to get the win.”
The Rangers are looking to taking each game one at a time and start stacking momentum as they head down the final stretch of the season.
Scoring Leaders
North Ridgeville
#2 Maddie Eldrige- 7
#3 Gabby Thibodeaux- 3
#10 Brooke Lime- 12
#12 Alyssa Eland- 1
#13 Reyna Balderas- 6
#21 Macie Miller- 2
#25 Grace Kingery- 21
Avon
#2 Mackenzie Ptacek- 8
#5 Grace Mangan- 6
#11 Molly Drenik- 13
#14 Emma Owens- 3
#22 Madigan O’Leary- 3
#25 Abby Owens- 5
