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Olmsted Falls hasn’t played a basketball game in over a week. Having that extended time off could cause some teams to start slow especially when the first game back is in the playoffs. That was not the case for the Bulldogs as they beat the Rough Riders of Kent Roosevelt 63-29.
From the opening tip they applied full court pressure and used that to fuel a hot start. They forced 12 turnovers and had six players score on their way to a 29-4 lead over the Rough Riders after one.
Coach Eaton said, “ We worked on our full court pressure over the break, I thought we did a really good job with it tonight.”
In the second quarter, Kent Roosevelt found their rhythm and began to handle the pressure with more confidence. Taking advantage of opportunities in the post, Claire VanDamme showcased her skills, adding nine points to the scoreboard, while Julia Nash’s two three-pointers contributed to the Riders’ momentum. Despite their efforts, the Bulldogs’ strong start proved difficult to overcome. Leading the charge for Olmsted Falls was Danielle Cameron who notched 12 points, with Avery DeLisio adding 10 as the teams headed to the locker rooms with Olmsted Falls leading 44-19.
The second half was much of the same. Even though the Bulldogs weren’t pressing they still put great pressure on the Riders. They forced five more turnovers in the third quarter and extended their lead. Six different Bulldogs scored in the third and headed to the final quarter with a 58-23 lead.
The running clock was in effect to start the fourth and there wasn’t much action. The Riders were able to win the quarter 6-5 but the game was long over. Olmsted Falls, behind 10 different scorers, moved on in the playoffs with a 63-29 win over Kent Roosevelt.
One thing that stands out when you watch Olmsted Falls play is their hustle and effort. No matter who is in the game or what the score is they are playing hard and fighting for every loose ball.
Coach Eaton said after the game “ I think our girls like doing it. It comes from our team being really close but also the parents in the community that teach them from a young age about hard work and effort.”
As the Bulldogs continue their playoff run, this outstanding effort that has been instilled in their team since a young age will be a driving force on their quest to return to the state title game.
Scoring Leaders
Olmsted Falls
#3 Avery DeLisio- 12
#10 Ava Mahoney- 1
#12 Danielle Cameron- 16
#13 Reese Timura- 1
#22 Jessie Simon- 9
#25 Emma Schaefer- 8
#30 Emily Scina- 2
#32 Grace Largent- 3
#33 Carli Nagy- 3
#34 Jessica Wolanin- 8
Kent Roosevelt
#4 Danica Banks- 2
#12 Julia Nash- 6
#23 Lindsay Wills- 2
#34 Kinsey Crawford- 2
#40 Zariyah Taylor- 2
#44 Claire VanDamme- 15
