by In a highly anticipated matchup between the Strongsville Mustangs led by head coach Madyson Farnbauch and the defending state champion Olmsted Falls Bulldogs led by head coach Jordan Eaton, the Mustangs displayed their talent and tenacity winning the game 49-31!
Strongsville started the 1st quarter with stifling defense against the defending state-champ Bulldogs. Senior Kennedi Neale impressed with a quick 3-pointer and a drive to the basket to score a quick 5 points for the Mustangs. With 3 minutes down in the 1st quarter, the Bulldogs found themselves in trouble down 7-0. #22 Jesse Simon of the Bulldogs hit a three from what looked like halfcourt! Neale continued to score for the Mustangs in what felt like a low-scoring 1st quarter that was back and forth on defense. #44 Addison Mullen of the Bulldogs nailed a pair of free throws bringing the score to 11-5 in favor of the home team Mustangs. At the end of the 1st quarter, the Mustangs led the Bulldogs 14-8.
At the start of the 2nd quarter, Strongsville fought hard to maintain their lead behind their leading scorer so far, #3 Sidney Butera. Olmsted Falls could not get past 6’3″ center #22 Eszter Dioszegi from Strongsville, who snatched up rebounds and got herself a HUGE block to keep Falls from scoring. Falls battled back slightly, bringing Strongsville’s lead down to 7 with 3 and a half minutes to go in the first half. It was a block party for Strongsville, as they also extended their lead to 9 with a minute and a half to go. Again, Dioszegi could simply not be stopped on the boards, it felt like the Bulldogs could not even make it inside to score easy buckets. At half, the Mustangs led the defending champs 26-15.
The 3rd quarter started out with a big three-pointer from #34 Sydney Bass of the Mustangs, while #24 Maddie Cerovac of the Bulldogs got a bucket of her own continuing to lead her team in the scoring category. Dioszegi was challenged by her coaches from the sideline to continue grabbing rebounds, and that’s exactly what she did forcing a jump ball, giving possession back to the Mustangs. Kennedi Neale, and the rest of the Mustangs for that matter, showed how impressive they were from the stripe. While Neale nailed a big 3-pointer bringing the Mustang lead to 15 points! With 4 minutes left in the 3rd, it seemed as though Strongsville was pulling away. Cerovac straight up battled for buckets, hitting a slick and-1 bringing the Mustang lead down to 11.
At the start of the 4th quarter, the Mustangs led the Bulldogs 35-23. Cerovac continued to fight the good fight, nailing a pair of foul shots to bring down the Mustang lead to 10. But, Butera of the Mustangs put on a scoring display with a slick mid-range jumper and a beautiful 3-pointer. Neale, not willing to be outshined, hit a nothing-but-net 3-pointer of her own for the Mustangs. Butera and Neale helped extend the lead to 20 points with 4 minutes to go in regulation!
In conclusion, Strongsville just showed the state of Ohio why they could be a major contender for the state title this year. Olmsted Falls played as hard as they could, but it was not enough against Strongsville’s rebounding, scoring, and defense. Butera lead the Mustangs with 18 points, while Cerovac led the Bulldogs with 15 points. Dioszegi snatched up rebound after rebound, while Neale quietly had a nice night of her own with 14 points for the Mustangs.
What a great high school girls basketball game, although falls lost these 2 teams are tops in the state. Good luck the rest of the way ladies and coaches. Lastly to the goof who tweets all the time about his AAU players take care your own team before you start popping off!Blah Blah Blah
Our Bulldogs will bounce back. Hats off to the Mustangs, getting that game moved back a week so “z” could play, was a genius move! I can only wonder what false hope this will now give the Shoregals. Go Dawgs!