by Two of Northeast Ohio’s better Girls Varsity Basketball teams were in Elyria on Monday night as the St. Joseph Academy Jaguars traveled to take on the Elyria Catholic Panthers.
Panther Guard Annika Bredel got things started, hitting the first shot and another quick one, plus a foul shot. She had a five point quarter.
Another Elyria standout was #14 Isabelle Niederst. The Sophomore Guard was strong, especially early. She is really quick off the dribble, and has very good ball skills. She had four points in the quarter and a steal.
For the St. Joe’s team Junior Forward Elise Larsen had a couple buckets including an easy lay up. Another strong player for the Jaguars was #25, the six foot Senior Forward Ava Haddad. She had a nice layup in the first, and she had an all around exceptional performance. The score at the end of the first quarter had the Panthers up 12 to 8.
Ava Haddad again had a nice left handed layup, and she showed a little range with a nice midrange jump shot. The star of the quarter was second team Senior Guard Ryan Elbert. She came into the game early, but her impact in the second quarter was huge. She basically took over the game, hitting an incredible 4 straight three pointers. She hit two from the top of the key, one just left of the top, and one from the left wing.
Saint Joseph’s had an 18 point quarter, compared to Elyria Catholic’s 7 points. Bredel did have a nice three pointer from the left wing, a beautiful steal, and right handed layup for five points. Saint Joe’s was up 26-19 at half.
In the third quarter, the Panther’s offensive woes continued, with the exception of Bredel who had a three, and a beautiful layup with just 20 seconds left in the third.
The Jaguars had four girls on the scoring ledger in the third. Senior Guard Ella Neitzel had a sweet stroke from the left wing for three. A nice layup from the right side gave her five for the quarter. Elbert also had a nice field goal from the right corner, and an inside jump shot for four. Junior Guard/ Forward Elise Larsen had a nice layup, and a big time blocked shot. The score at the end of three was St. Joseph 39, and Elyria Catholic 28.
In the fourth quarter, almost all of Saint Joseph’s points were from the free throw line. Elbert had a beautiful left handed layup, and converted a one and one for a four point quarter. Ryan Elbert had an incredible night with 20 points, but not just the scoring. She was very physical with the Panther Guards, and she uses her size and quickness very well. Great all around game for Elbert.
Congratulations to Saint Joseph Academy Head Coach Karen Swanson Haan on a great game plan, and getting her squad fired up throughout the whole game. At least on this night the Jaguars were better than the Panthers. The final score was 47 to 36.
