by Cover photo credit Ben Nichols Photography
On February 21st, 2026, the Rocky River Pirates faced the Alliance Aviators in girls basketball, resulting in a Pirate victory 73-24.
The first quarter started off strong for the Pirates, as Claudia Roche immediately scored 3 points. Her teammates, Olivia Dewey and Elizabeth Lang, followed this up with baskets of their own. Alliance’s Kiara Chance displayed strong offensive playing, but it wasn’t enough to break through Rocky River’s defensive wall. Nora Bruder and Elizabeth Lang scored back to back baskets for the Pirates, which was followed by a 3-pointer from the Aviators’ Peyton Graham. The quarter ended with Rocky River baskets from Angelina Swallow and Maia Petrulis with a score of 25-3, Pirates.
It was clear in the second quarter that Alliance’s Payton Graham had a fire lit beneath her, as she started it off with another 3 point basket. Nora Bruder then scored for the Pirates, followed by her teammates Elizabeth Lang, Nora Bruder, and Angelina Swallow. Peyton Graham scored 3 points for the Aviators before yet another basket from Rocky River’s Elizabeth Lang. The Pirates’ offense was on full display in this quarter, as they played with purpose and drive, leading to baskets from Reagan Kane and Nora Bruder. Baylor Young managed to break through Rocky River’s defense and score 2 points for Alliance, before the half ended with Pirate baskets from Nora Bruder and Maia Petrulis. The final score of the half was 52-10, Rocky River.
Elizabeth Lang was absolutely dominating the court during this game, and it showed, as she scored two Pirate baskets immediately after half time ended. Alliance seemed to have gained some more confidence in the second half as both Peyton Graham and Jayla Fisher scored. Rocky River’s Jane Frolo followed these points up with two back to back baskets. Peyton Graham once again broke through the Pirates’ defense, scoring 2 points. The third quarter ended on baskets from Rocky River’s Reagan Kane, Jane Frolo, and Maia Petrulis, with a score of 67-17, Pirates.
The final quarter was uneventful compared to those before it, and once again began with two baskets from Rocky River’s Elizabeth Lang. The Aviator’s, desperate to close the gap in the score, had two 3 point shots from Kimara Chance and Peyton Graham, as well as a free throw point from Jayla Fisher. Ultimately, the quarter ended with 2 points from Reagan Kane for the Pirates, and the final score was 73-24, Rocky River.
The top scorers for the Rocky River Pirates were Elizabeth Lang, Nora Bruder, Reagan Kane, Jane Frolo, and Angelina Swallow.
The top scorers for the Alliance Aviators were Peyton Graham, Baylor Young, Jayla Fisher, and Kimara Chance.
