by You can listen to the game by clicking here – https://keeonsports.podbean.com/e/hs-basketball-berea-midpark-at-olmsted-falls/
You can find our sponsors here – https://keeonsports.com/sponsors/
The Olmsted Falls Bulldogs may just be one of the best teams in the state. In fact, let me remove the mystery for all of you reading this, they are one of the best teams in the state! Tonight, on senior night, they combined to drain 14 from long range in a 61-23 victory over crosstown rival Berea-Midpark. That is 42 of their 62 points coming from beyond the arc. A staggering 67% of their points for those of you who just can’t get enough math in your life.
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? This victory brings them another SWC Championship, this one out right. They have been a team that is a solid 7 deep all year, but tonight they showed that they can be 8 deep as senior Ashely Keener got the start and played well.
On senior night, it was a sophomore that once again had me picking my jaw up from the table numerous times. Between nailing three’s from a different area code, and making behind the back passes, Paige Kohler was on fire. She didn’t start because of senior night, but sure as heck made up for lost time when she checked in. Kohler would finish with 14 points and nailed 4 from downtown.
Senior Lauren Galaska would also have the exact same stat line as Paige with 14, including 12 of them from deep. Allison Milligan would finish with 6 and also one big defensive play after another, including some very nice passes on offense.
Grace Simon had a slow start but extremely strong finish with 9 total. All coming from long range. I’ll say it again, Simon and Kohler have some of the nicest three-point strokes I’ve seen at this level.
Mia Kalich may have only had 2 points, but that means nothing when it comes to the game she had and the continued impact she has on this team. She can shut down the middle and is so athletic on runouts as well. Lauren Noernberg was her usual tough and scrappy self-off the bench with 6 he points as well.
Sara Glover would finish with 8 points, including 4 from the line. In fact, she went 4 of 4 from the line and also yanked down some tough rebounds when getting tied up.
The Titans were led once again by Athena Sevastos, this time with 8. The senior is finishing up a very strong career for the Titans. She is solid on both ends of the court and has left her mark on the program. Jenna Bycznski shut down the middle numerous times tonight, she finished with several blocks and continued to be a presence down low on defense.
Falls started the night on an 8-0 run thanks in part to a couple of three balls from Lauren Galaska and a drive by Allison Milligan. Athena Sevastos of Berea-Midpark who has been playing out of her mind as of late answered for the Titans with 6 straight to cut the lead to 8-6.
As it was all first half long, Berea-Midpark would make it close, and then Falls would explode. Up 8-6, the Bulldogs would sink two three’s late, one by Lauren Noernberg and a buzzer beater by Paige Kohler to make it 14-6 after one.
Four from Jenna Bycznski and 2 by Lauren Yee out of the gate in the second, made it a 14-12 game and gave the Titans hope. The Bulldogs weren’t having it and absolutely exploded in a blitzkrieg for 16 straight points to make it 30 – 12 at half.
That 16 came with 6 from Paige, including a three so deep it would have been good from the NBA range. Lauren Galaska remained red hot with 5 more as Milligan had a 3 ball and Noernberg sunk two foul shots. It was unreal!
The Titans managed to hang tough in the third quarter for a bit, only getting outscored 14- 9 but a 6-0 run to start the quarter with 3’s by Galaska and Kohler put it away for good at 36-12. This Kohler three was also from NBA range. Another three by Noernberg, two fouls shots by Glover and Grace Simons first three of the night made it 44-21 Bulldogs heading into the fourth.
A Jenna Bycznski inside post play to score, would open the fourth quarter at 44-23, but sadly for the Titans, they would not score again over the final 7 plus minutes. The Bulldogs didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal as the Seniors wanted to go out strong, and did exactly that. By the time all was said and done, it was 61-23 and time to cut down nets.
The playoffs continue tomorrow as some teams have already begun. Kee On Sports will be on the scene as Barberton travels to North Ridgeville. We will also be in Avon as they host Valley Forge. Friday we will be in Amherst as they host Bedford.
I’d like to watch and report on the Berea-Midpark at Normandy game when I get home from Avon if anyone wants to send me the link. Please do.
Good luck to both teams in the postseason.
