by This article is brought to you by – Robert Gates Legacy Foundation – Rob Gates Legacy, Organ Donation Foundation | Facebook
This Foundation is to raise money to provide relief to transplant recipients, their costs of rejection medications are thousands of dollars per month and they are needed to keep them alive. Also, to provide scholarships in Rob’s name. And to also provide financial relief to living donors as they have to take time off of work for testing work ups, surgery, etc, all to save someone’s life by giving the gift of life.
MEDINA, OH –
The Bulldogs squared off with the North Canton Hoover Lady Vikes in a game that began with both teams feeling each other out early. The opening quarter was relatively even, with some nerves apparent on both sides as each squad worked to settle into the moment.
Emma Schaefer helped steady the Bulldogs by attacking the basket with confidence, either finishing strong at the rim or kicking the ball out when Hoover’s help defense collapsed. Schaefer went 3-of-4 from the free throw line in the first quarter, while Avery DeLisio and Carli Nagy each connected from beyond the arc.
Grace Largent made her presence known on the glass, battling for rebounds throughout the quarter. Hoover stayed within striking distance thanks largely to Zoe McCort, who scored six points in the opening frame. After one quarter of play, Olmsted Falls held a narrow 11-8 lead.
By the second quarter, the Bulldogs began to settle in and lean into their defensive identity, something that has been a cornerstone of their success all season. That defensive pressure quickly translated into offense.
Jesse Simon, who had been held scoreless in the first quarter, caught fire and buried three, three-pointers in the period. Schaefer added seven points of her own, continuing to attack the lane and create opportunities. Largent also showed toughness after taking a hard foul, calmly stepping to the line and knocking down both free throws.
The Bulldogs dominated the quarter, outscoring Hoover 18-4 and heading into halftime with a commanding 29-12 lead. For Olmsted Falls, this type of halftime margin has almost become routine this season, as their tenacious defense often wears down opponents early.
The Bulldogs kept their momentum rolling in the third quarter. DeLisio delivered one of the most energizing plays in basketball when she stepped in and took a charge early in the period, a moment that sparked the entire team. Charges don’t show up as glamorous plays on a stat sheet, but they require perfect positioning, toughness, and a willingness to absorb contact — and they can shift the energy of a game instantly.
DeLisio later added another three-pointer as Olmsted Falls stretched the lead to 43-20 by the end of the third quarter. North Canton made a few opportunities for themselves in the fourth but it wasn’t meant to be. The Bulldogs held on for another dominant 59-33 victory. Simon led Olmsted Falls with 18 points, followed by Schaefer with 14, while DeLisio, Largent, and Nagy each added 6 a piece. McCort paced Hoover with 11 points.
Olmsted Falls takes on Hudson in the OHSAA Regional Finals this Friday night for a shot at the Final 4!
