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Elyria –
Game 2 of our double header at “The Coliseum” saw the Avon Lake Shoregals buzz past the Medina Battling Bees 56-39 to advance to the district finals. The Shoregals had a complete team effort in the win tonight. The Battling Bees of Medina fought hard and kept it close for most of the game, but in the end Avon Lake would take home the win.
Medina won the tip-off and quickly took it down the court, took a shot, but could not get it to fall. Avon Lake and Medina traded buckets throughout the first quarter. Avon Lake played tight defense that kept Medina from getting good looks. Not to be outdone, Medina pushed hard and kept the game tight, finishing out the first quarter tied at 11.
The Shoregals started to pull ahead in the second quarter with timely baskets from Marisa Summerfield and Courtney Borland as well as stellar rebounding from Avon Lake’s Claire Springer. Borland hit a 3 all alone from the corner. Medina’s Olivia Klanac helped keep things close as she drove hard to the basket and had her shot blocked, rebounded her own shot and sank the basket for 2. Avon Lake led at the half 24-19
The Shoregals and the Battling Bees came out of the locker room ready to fight to the very end. Avon Lake came out firing and after the first shot of the quarter when Medina took to the line for a 3 point play. Marisa Summerfield immediately answered from the corner of the arc draining the 3 off the glass. The fouls started to add up in the quarter for both teams, eventually leading to double bonus for Avon Lake later in the game. Medina worked to make up ground but the Shoregals had other ideas. Avon Lake headed into the fourth with a 39-28 lead.
The Shoregals effort only intensified in the fourth quarter working quickly up the court and drawing fouls. Timely free throw shooting also kept the Shoregals up throughout the fourth quarter. Medina did not have any quit in them as the continued to push hard to the inside, but it was not enough to keep the Shoregals at bay.
Speaking to Shoregals Coach Paul Appel he said “The girls did such a good job of executing the game plan. I thought we were really good defensively and offensively we played great.”
The Avon Lake Shoregals Advance to the district finals Friday Evening where they will face SWC foe Olmsted Falls. Tip-Off is at 7pm at “The Coliseum” at Elyria Catholic High School.
You can check out my interview with Coach Appel at the link below:
@ShoregalsBBall coach Paul Appel giving us his post game thoughts after the great semi-final win over Medina.@SportsKee1 pic.twitter.com/NRjuwJV7di
— Chris Grunau VA/ High School Sports Reporter (@ChrisGrunau) February 22, 2023
