by Cover photo by ECI Photography
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The Shoregals hadn’t played a game since February 3rd on Senior Night, ironically it was the senior class that led them to victory tonight. The Seniors combined to score 46 of 49 points tonight in the Shoregal 49-44 victory over Hathaway Brown. The Shoregals sunk 14 foul shots tonight with 9 of them in the fourth quarter to put the game away. They weathered numerous Brown runs, and kept their composure.
Avon Lake was led by Emily Yarham who scored 18 tonight, including 6 clutch foul shot points in the fourth. Hailey Hodge went from taking phone calls from panicked reporters’ pre-game, to sinking three’s once it started. Hodge did it all today and finished with 11 points. Hodge has made such a huge impact on this team since missing a good chunk of time midseason. With Hodge in the lineup, this is a winning team.
Emma Knick led by example once again, playing tough defense and seeking out open teammates with crisp passing. Knick would finish with 4 points, all from the foul line. Kiley Boutin was a force in the first half as she hit jumper after jumper from the corner, on her way to a 9-point game. Corey Kroneker had 4 while Courtney Borland had 2 and Marisa Summerfield had 1.
The Shoregals came out a bit rusty as Brown climbed out to a 6-2 lead. A Hailey Hodge three ball would cut it to 6-5 at the 3:53 mark of the opening quarter. Inside of two minutes down 10-7 Hodge would strike again with another three ball and tie it at 10. The quarter would end tied at 12.
The Shoregals started to create some room in the second quarter with an 8 – 3 run to start the quarter. Corey Kroneker was everywhere and helped make things happen on both ends. Five straight by Lucy Castellanos for Brown would tie it at 20. It was part of a big first half for her that saw her score 10. The game remained close as the Shoregals led 22-20 at the break. Back and forth they went like a heavyweight prize fight.
After Bridget Kennedy tied it at 22 to start the second half, the Shoregals went on a 12-3 run to build their largest lead of the game at 34-25. Kiley Boutin continued to hit that corner jumper for 6 of her points during that run. Hodge remained red hot as well, hitting her 3rd three pointer of the game to help Avon Lake build the lead. The quarter would close out with the Shoregals on top 36-27.
Brown came out firing to start the fourth quarter and cut the lead to 36-31 with a quick 4-0 run. The Shoregals would answer back with excellent ball movement that gave Kiley Boutin a perfect look at the basket, Brown had no choice but to foul. She would split the pair to stop the run and increase the Shoregal lead to 37-31. Brown would come back to cut it to 40-39 with 3:49 left to play.
From there the Shoregals did enough to put it away for good and capture the 49-44 victory.
