by Barberton, Ohio – For the first time since 2018, the Wadsworth Lady Grizzlies are regional champions, thanks to a 64-55 win over Mentor in the OHSAA Division I regional championship at Jack Greynolds Court Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Grizzlies got off to a great start, as five different players found the scorebook. Natalie Moser and Julia Maddox each scored six points in the opening frame, as Wadsworth got out to a 20-10 lead after one.
Wadsworth would turn to Lauren Decker in the second quarter, and she delivered, scoring ten of her twelve first half points in the stanza. The Grizzlies would take a 34-26 lead into the halftime break. Their defense also played a key role, from diving after loose balls to boxing out for rebounds.
Despite trailing the majority of the game, Mentor stayed in it throughout the third quarter, as their defense stepped up and held Wadsworth to one field goal for a majority of the stanza. Sophomore Keira Coleman, who had eight first half points, scored six more in the third, including a layup to cut the Cardinal deficit to 41-39.
Wadsworth responded with a basket from Natalie Moser and a pair of free throws from Lauren Decker on back-to-back possessions. This would stretch their lead to 45-39 after three.
In the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies would further increase their lead to double digits thanks to timely baskets from Lauren Decker and Natalie Maddox.
Senior Nina Rodriguez scored a pair of buckets to draw the Cardinals to within 56-50. However, that was a close as they got the rest of the way, as junior Natalie Moser and sophomore Julia Maddox scored on back-to-back possessions.
The Grizzlies would ice the game at the free throw line, and celebrated their first regional title since 2018 once the final buzzer sounded.
Robert Morris volleyball commit and senior forward Lauren Decker finished with 23 points. Junior forward Natalie Moser added 15, and sophomore Natalie Maddox added ten. The Grizzlies advance to the state final four in Dayton next Thursday.
Mentor was led by sophomore guard Keira Coleman and freshman forward Ashlyn McKinney, who each finished with 15 points.
Extended highlights below:
Wadsworth Grizzlies vs Mentor Cardinals (Girls Basketball) (OHSAA Div I Regional Final) (03/07/2026)
