by Olmsted Falls- The defending state champions the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs (2-0) earned their first victory of the season in the SWC over the Berea-Midpark Titans (1-2) 45-37.
In the 1st quarter these teams went back and forth trading baskets. Berea-Midpark got the scoring started on a 5-0 run led by one of their two captains, Sophomore Regan Braaten scoring the first five for the Titans. The Bulldogs and Sophomore Emma Schaefer shrunk the Titans lead to just one lead by Schaefer’s six points in the quarter.
To begin the 2nd quarter, Emma Schafer continued right where she left off dazzling with ten more points for the Bulldogs. I had a chance to speak with Bulldogs Head Coach Jordon Eaton and what he thought about his 5’11 Guard performance tonight. “She did a really good job of being more aggressive and attacking the basket” Eaton said. The Bulldogs did a great job defensively in the first half forcing three back court violations on the Titans.
Junior Jesse Simon got a big piece off the offensive pie as well accumulating 14 points on the night. Eaton when on to say, “Jesse has really worked hard all off-season and we expect big things from her.” The 2nd half the intensity and physicality continued to grow between these two conference opponents. Senior Maddie Cerovac finished off the scoring trio for the Bulldogs and had a big 2nd half with seven points.
Sophomores Avery James and Emma Arnold of the Titans lead the way in the 2nd half combing for nine points. Braaten continued to flourish in the 2nd half for the Titans finishing with 18 points for the night.
As a team the Titans had five three pointers, but it wasn’t enough as Olmsted Falls (2-0) would be victorious over Berea-Midpark (1-2) 45-37. When speaking to Coach Eaton I also asked about his team first conference win. “I feel really good about our team and I’m really excited. Berea came in and played very hard and we expected that. Overall, I think we are going to learn a lot from this game which is great early in the season.” I also touched on what it will take for his Bulldogs to have a repeat season from a year ago. “I got to be honest I don’t really think much about that. We are just trying to attack our next game. We just need to play as hard as we can and be elite on defense together every day and good things will happen, like tonight.”
Berea-Midpark will finish their four-game road trip to start the season against the Holy Name Green Wave Saturday December 7th before their home opener against the Elyria Pioneers December 11th.
As for Olmsted Falls, they will continue their five-game homestand to open the season against the Archbishop Hoban Knights this Friday December 6th before returning to conference action in the SWC against the Midview Middies on December 11th and the North Ridgeville Rangers on December 14th.
1 2 3 4 F
Berea-Midpark 9 9 9 10 37
Olmsted Falls 8 18 10 9 45
What a great victory by our Falls girls, they play so hard. Coach Jordan gets those girls prepared. Night in and night out we will have a target on our backs. As long as we defend like we did tonight we will be a really nice team. Way to go girls! Berea has a nice young team they will be good as the season gos along . I recognized the coach I remember him from Mayfield when I was ref, I had to look up his record in conference it’s better then the 6-24 I saw . He will get them ready when it matters good luck to them the rest of the way!