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Values Lead Magnificats Run Towards a Regional Championship Bid
MEDINA, OH – The Magnificat Blue Streaks advanced to the Division One State Semi Finals with a 51-36 victory over the Medina Bees tonight. The Blue Streaks overcame an early 12-4 deficit to rally for a 25-17 halftime lead, never looking back from there as they were led by Sofia Wilson with 17 and Julia Hall with 14. Gemma Wichmann was clutch off the bench once again with 7 points and countless rebounds. The dynamic Roggenburk sisters of Reese and Brynn combined for 9 points while Katie Maryo chipped in with 5.
This game came down two things, could Magnificat stop the incredible Olivia Klanac and could Sofia Wilson “get hot”. The resounding answer to both was yes, as Klanac was defended brilliantly by Brynn Roggenburk who face guarded her and held to 0 in the first half and 7 overall. This is only one game for Klanac however, that young lady is one of the most humble, hardworking, driven young athletes in any sport we have ever covered. Klanac has a bright future not only in basketball, but in life with her attitude and work ethic.
Sofia Wilson was deadly last year for the Blue Steaks, and this year has had her moments, but on a night like tonight when they needed her the most, she stepped up! With the Blue Streaks down 12-4 late in the first quarter, Wilson hit a three that began to spark the Blue Steaks. Her and Hall combined for all 7 of their first quarter points, as they trailed 12-7 after 1.
It was midway through the second quarter, that they caught fire and began to take over the game. Down 17-14 after an Addy Shook basket for the Bees, the Blue Streaks went to work and closed the quarter on a dominant 11-0 run. It began with a Wilson bucket to cut it to 17-16, and then two foul shots from Wilson to give the Blue Streaks their first lead of the game at 18-17. Then with the momentum starting to shift, Hall nailed a monster three directly in front of the Medina student section and got the Blue Streaks cooking. Two more Hall foul shots and a Hall bucket took it to 25-17 at the half.
I spoke post game with Sofia Wilson about why that surge of confidence in her shooting came alive in the second, “Once we got those nerves out from the start of the game, we knew we had confidence in ourselves to hit shots and start trusting ourselves,” said Wilson.
Julia Hall had this to share, “We got the nerves out at first, but played together and stuck to our values and trusted each other.”
The third quarter started out very slow as Klanac hit a bucket to start the half, but then the Bees didn’t score again until 3:30 remained in the half. The Bees simply treaded water and couldn’t get closer when Wilson hit a three ball to give the Blue Streaks their first double digit lead of the game at 37-25 with 44 seconds left in the third.
The Bees couldn’t get close in the fourth, and the Blue Streaks sealed the 51-36 victory. Tonight, Gemma Wichmann was a rebounding machine, while Julia Hall drove the lane. The Roggenburk sisters continued to make plays happen while Wilson and Maryo shot without fear, it was just one of those nights for the Blue Streaks.
For Medina, this ends a BRILLIANT season and they should be proud. Tonight, the crowd was loud and proud and behind them. Those are the kind of nights those young ladies will never forget despite the final score. The Bees were led by Izzy Kurka with 8, while Klanac had 7 and Abby Dress also scored 7.
As next weekend closes out girls basketball, we want to take this moment to thank everyone once again!
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