Forget about the Wadsworth girls basketball team’s convincing win over Magnificat in late December. The stakes, neutral gymnasium and experience are what matter this time around.

The Grizzlies (24-1) and Blue Streaks (21-4) meet again at 7 p.m. tonight in a North Royalton Division I Regional semifinal. They are near-unanimously considered the top D-I teams in Northeast Ohio along with Solon and Canton McKinley.

The winner faces Westlake (23-2) or Toledo Whitmer (21-6) on Saturday afternoon at a site to be determined. The Panthers upset Toledo Notre Dame Academy, which eliminated Wadsworth in each of the previous four seasons.

“It’s awesome, I’d definitely say,” Grizzlies three-year starting forward Laurel Palitto said. “It’s also awesome to be here with different teams. Girls obviously graduate. I don’t know how to describe it.”

Wadsworth defeated Magnificat 47-29 at its Believe Roundball Classic, but the Grizzlies are treating that as an anomaly because the Blue Streaks committed 15 first-half turnovers, Penn recruit Pheobe Sterba had a rare off-night (2 points on 1-for-9 shooting) and fellow star Elise Keshock (12 points, 7 rebounds) battled foul trouble.

Magnificat’s all-independent regular-season schedule was eye-popping with games against eventual district finalists Wadsworth, Berlin Hiland (W, 65-46), Africentric (W, 56-44), Gilmour Academy (W, 58-42), Hathaway Brown (W, 53-46), Berea-Midpark (W, 64-53), Mason (L, 33-56), Avon (W, 58-41), Solon (W, 62-56), Hoban (W, 73-57), St. Vincent-St. Mary (W, 76-74) and St. Joseph Academy (W, 62-44).

Three of the Blue Streaks’ projected five starters for tonight played against Wadsworth in the regional semis two years ago.

“Knowing they’re going to come out gung-ho wanting to continue their season and wanting to continue their careers, they don’t want to lose,” Palitto said. “They’re going to put up a fight. We know that.”

The Blue Streaks defeated Rhodes (71-24), Lakewood (58-36) and St. Joseph (49-26) to emerge from the weak Valley Forge District. They’ve won nine straight games since getting manhandled by Mason at The Classic in the Country Challenge — the Comets are the only team to beat Wadsworth — on Jan. 16.

Keshock (16.4 ppg) is the key, as Magnificat’s offense is built on pick-and-rolls and high-post plays designed to get the physical 5-foot-9 power forward playing downhill. Sterba (12.0 ppg) is an outstanding passer and difficult matchup at 6-0, while Lily Schwind (6-0, 8.3) is a hard-working center and, like Sterba, guard Sarah Spicer (5-2, 5.4) is a mild 3-point threat.

The Blue Streaks are 19-0 when they score at least 50 points and 7-0 when Keshock goes for 20-plus.

“(Keshock) has great body control,” Palitto said. “She knows how to use her left and right hand. I know she loves to use her left hand, but her moves are great, her finishes are great and she does some things that are mouth-opening.”

Wadsworth is averaging 64.8 points during its 10-game winning streak but is better known for a defense that is on pace to record the second-lowest scoring average in Medina County history (32.8).

The Grizzlies obviously feature first-team All-Ohioan Jodi Johnson (5-11, sr., 18.2) and tough-as-nails point guard Sophia Fortner (5-5, so., 8.2), but rapidly developing sophomore centers Lexi Lance (6-1, 7.6) and Peyton Banks (5-10, 7.8) also have been dynamite in the postseason.

With Schwind commanding Lance and Banks’ attention, Palitto (5-10, sr., 3.8) and power forward Jenna Johnson (5-10, sr., 4.8) will alternate guarding Keshock, with backside help a big point of emphasis.

Don’t be surprised if tonight is a slugfest.

“Getting to this point, we know every team is going to have great players,” Palitto said. “But I think at the end of the season, the teams that are going to be playing in Columbus are going to be the teams that have the players that play together.”

NORTH ROYALTON — With the halftime clock winding down Tuesday, Wadsworth star Jodi Johnson looked beyond her bench and toward freshman team coach Lindsay Tenyak. Johnson then cupped her hands to make a heart symbol before transitioning into fanning her face.

Yeah, the nearly sold-out North Royalton High gymnasium was toasty, but the Wadsworth girls basketball team was scorching and loving every minute.

Riding season-long staples of a textbook start, ferocious defense and elite foul shooting, the Grizzlies continued to run roughshod through Northeast Ohio’s best with a no-doubt 73-49 victory over Magnificat in a Division I regional semifinal.

The Grizzlies (25-1) advanced to battle Toledo Whitmer (22-6), a come-from-behind 41-38 winner over Westlake, at 1 p.m. Saturday in Norwalk.

Wadsworth’s Jodi Johnson (15), Lexi Lance, and Laurel Palitto (22) are all smiles in the closing minutes of a 73-49 victory over Magnificat in the Regional semi-final. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

“That was a good win,” point guard Sophia Fortner said. “We celebrate now, but we tuck ourselves in (to bed) tonight and we focus on the next game.”

Johnson led Wadsworth with 25 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks, including two emphatically on dead sprints near the baseline. Fortner (career-high 18 points) made 12-of-12 free throws to go with four assists, two steals, only one turnover and plenty of ankle-breaking dribbling, while center Lexi Lance added 13 points and nine rebounds.

Magnificat (21-5), which played 12 district finalists this season, saw standout power forward Elise Keshock score 18 of her team-high 20 points in what amounted to a cosmetic second half. Penn recruit Phoebe Sterba contributed 12 points and six assists, but the Blue Streaks never recovered after committing 11 turnovers while falling behind 24-7 after one quarter.

Wadsworth took its biggest lead, 55-28, on a four-point play by small forward Laurel Palitto with 2:04 to go in the third quarter. The Grizzlies also ensured anything resembling a comeback was impossible by making a ridiculous 30-of-33 free throws (.909), including 22-for-24 in the second half.

“I didn’t know until Coach (Andrew) Booth said that,” an impressed Fortner said of the foul shooting. “When he said that, I was very happy because I know one of my goals this season was to get better at foul shooting.

“The coaching staff does a very good job of putting us under pressure in practice, so when we get in games it’s a piece of cake.”

Sterba and fellow ball-handlers Abigail Adler and Jillian Birchfield handled Wadsworth pressure well for the first few minutes before their entire team imploded during a 16-0 Grizzlies run to end the first period. The Blue Streaks had a balanced effort in that regard, as six players committed turnovers.

Johnson was at the forefront with 12 points and two steals. Lance added seven points, while Fortner hit a 3-pointer and backup Maddie Movsesian continued her postseason-long theme of immediate impact with an assist, steal-and-score and another swipe in less than 2½ minutes.

Wadsworth settled in from that point and calmly adjusted to anything Magnificat threw at it. The Grizzlies took their initial 20-point lead with 2:37 left in the half and entered recess up 36-13 before a rag-tag third quarter, which featured 44 combined points but ended with Wadsworth on top 57-36.

“Playing them the first time (a 47-29 win on Dec. 30), our defense kind of led to them turning it over,” Johnson said. “We knew that we would be able to get them running and start jumping them and get steals in order to get our offense. That’s definitely what we did. We pressured them.”

While turnovers proved critical early — the Blue Streaks had only seven over the final three quarters — containing 16-point scorer Keshock when the game mattered may have been more important.

The 5-foot-9 senior developed into one of the most devastating post scorers in the area by using body control and strength to bulldoze to the rim. Wadsworth’s Jenna Johnson helped deny the ball from Keshock by cutting off passing lanes, while Fortner and Olivia Chaney took charges on the few occasions Keshock touched the rock.

Keshock entered halftime with two points on three shots to go with four rebounds, three turnovers and two fouls. She eventually got going offensively via a two-girl game with Sterba, but the outcome basically was decided by then.

“We knew we had to come out strong because they are all capable of scoring,” Jenna Johnson said. “We really had to stay solid on defense, not foul and put our hands up.

“We knew what (Keshock) was capable of, so we knew to stay back and contain her. We knew she’s mainly a driver, so we tried to limit her shots because we wanted to keep the ball out of her hands as much as possible.”

Wadsworth has scored 76, 67, 80 and 73 points while winning by 52, 23, 30 and 24 points this postseason, so it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to calculate the Grizzlies are firing on all cylinders.

“We’ve been hungry since the first day of practice this summer to get to state and win a state championship,” Jodi Johnson said. “Obviously it’s been in our mind since the very beginning of the year, and now it’s just getting closer and closer.”

Notes

• Magnificat was 12-for-13 at the free throw line, meaning the teams combined to shoot 42-for-46 (.913).
• Wadsworth is shooting .467 from the floor, .828 from the foul line and .340 from 3-point range this postseason.
• The Blue Streaks committed 23 fouls, but zero players were disqualified.

Wadsworth 73, Magnificat 49
Division I Regional Semifinal
MAGNIFICAT 7 6 23 13 — 49
WADSWORTH 24 12 21 16 — 73
Magnificat — Phoebe Sterba 5-10 0-0 12, Elise Keshock 7-12 5-5 20, Lily Schwind 3-4 0-0 6, Jillian Birchfield 1-2 5-5 7, Abigail Adler 0-3 2-3 2, Sara Spicer 0-2 0-0 0, Theresa Farnan 1-2 0-0 2, Lissy Roggenburk 0-3 0-0 0, Molly Normadin 0-0 0-0 0, Anne Ruddy 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17-38 12-13 49.
Wadsworth — Laurel Palitto 1-3 1-1 4, Jenna Johnson 0-3 2-2 2, Lexi Lance 4-7 5-6 13, Jodi Johnson 7-9 10-11 25, Sophia Fortner 2-6 12-12 18, Peyton Banks 3-5 0-0 7, McKenna Banks 0-1 0-0 0, Olivia Chaney 0-2 0-1 0, Maddie Movsesian 1-1 0-0 2, Maria Busson 0-0 0-0 0, Alexa Conley 0-0 0-0 0, Meggie Flanigan 1-1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 19-38 30-33 73.
3-point goals — Magnificat 3-12 (Sterba 2-6, Keshock 1-1, Spicer 0-1, Farnan 0-1, Birchfield 0-1, Adler 0-2), Wadsworth 5-10 (Fortner 2-3, P. Banks 1-1, Jo. Johnson 1-1, Palitto 1-3, Chaney 0-1, Je. Johnson 0-1). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — Magnificat 17 (Keshock 7), Wadsworth 18 (Lance 9). Assists — Magnificat 9 (Sterba 6), Wadsworth 12 (Fortner 3). Turnovers — Magnificat 18 (Sterba 4), Wadsworth 8 (Movsesian 2). Fouls — Magnificat 23, Wadsworth 13. Records — Magnificat (21-5), Wadsworth (25-1).

COPLEY TWP. — Mid-to-late 2000s Brunswick stars Sean Kelly and Joe Puch were in attendance Wednesday to witness the Copley Division I District semifinal featuring the Blue Devils against Archbishop Hoban.

It was fitting, perhaps, that coach Joe Mackey’s team took a page out of Kelly and Puch’s playbook.

Brunswick’s Michael Quiring drives past Hoban’s Brian Cuppett during the fourth quarter. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

Playing defense like crazy and hitting 3-pointers in backbreaking moments, top-seeded Brunswick again showed its mental toughness to pull away and eliminate the third-seeded Knights 47-42.

The Blue Devils (20-4), who reached 20 victories for the second time in school history (1979-80, 21-3), advanced to battle either No. 2 Medina (18-5) or No. 5 Stow (19-5) for the championship Saturday.

“Just survive and advance,” Mackey said. “All year long, we’ve been pleading for us to play better ‘D,’ and I’d say the last two or three weeks of the season we’ve really clamped down on that end of the floor (50.1 average over last 9 games).

“We played like the teams of the past (tonight). Come tournament time, it’s always fun to score in the 80s and things like that, but a lot of times, especially when you’re playing us, games end up in the 40s and low-50s. That’s the special part about the team we’re coaching now. We can win in the 70s, we can win in the 30s — like we’ve proven this year.”

The senior standouts came to play, as left-handed combo guard Kevin Simmons had 17 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two fourth-quarter steals, while All-Gazette point guard Michael Quiring added 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, five steals and only two turnovers.

The Blue Devils made 9-of-23 3-pointers — their season total of 254 is tied for ninth in Ohio history — but none were bigger than three quick ones by Quiring, wing Zach Cebula and center Aaron Badowski (6 points, 7 rebounds) that put Brunswick in front 43-30 midway through the fourth quarter.

Hoban (18-6) cut a 10-point deficit to five in the last 1:38, mainly because the Blue Devils left open two one-and-ones and committed two turnovers after brilliantly burning 90 critical seconds with a spread offense. Quiring made two free throws with 48.3 seconds to go, while the Knights’ Anthony Jackson scored at the buzzer to make the final look more interesting than it really was.

“I’m really excited to get the ‘W,’” said Simmons, who has 73 points, 20 rebounds and 15 assists over the last three games. “This is a very tough team. People didn’t really understand at our school that they are a really, really good team. We were blessed to get the ‘W,’ and I thank God for that.”

Brunswick had trouble finding scoring opportunities against Hoban’s full-court 1-2-2 defense for the better part of 2½ quarters, but two adjustments paid off.

The first was cutting off driving lanes in a matchup 2-3 zone after Hoban point guard Garrett Houser (team-high 11 points, 9 in second half) and veteran forward Anthony Christian (8, 4 rebounds, 2 assists) bruised their way toward the rim against the Blue Devils’ smaller backcourt. The other was breaking the press and creating diagonally from the short corner, allowing the backside to open a little more.

The 2-3 zone proved especially big, as it took away the Knights’ ability to get into the paint effectively. Defensive rebounds and a few ill-advised Hoban turnovers — multiple well-connected fans said the Knights played one of their worst games of the season — allowed Simmons to get transition chances in the third quarter, when he scored 10 points.

Quiring also was a factor, as he found Simmons on a backdoor layup and, on the next possession, stole the ball midair from a driving Matt Salopek and fired deep to Simmons for another bucket.

Brunswick led 18-14 at halftime, but a 3-pointer from heady freshman Kyle Goessler (6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) and a brilliant third period by Simmons and Quiring put them up 34-25.

“Defense and rebounding,” Quiring said. “That was the key for us coming into game, and I think we really had to execute on that end of the floor.

“We had that one little spurt at the end of the third, and that put us at 10 points. At the point, we just had to hold on, get some stops and make some free throws.”

The Blue Devils, who already have won their first league title since 1966, now will play in just their fourth district title game (1980, 1999, 2014). The only win was ’99.

When asked about potentially facing archrival Medina — the schools split in Greater Cleveland Conference play — Quiring smiled and, like the unflappable point guard he is, didn’t bite.

“Whoever wins, whoever wins (between Medina and Stow),” he said. “We’ll be ready.”

Brunswick 47, Archbishop Hoban 42
Copley Division I District Semifinal
HOBAN 6 8 11 17 — 42
BRUNSWICK 6 12 16 13 — 47
Hoban — Anthony Christian 3-10 2-3 8, Cartier Bickley 1-4 0-0 2, Brian Cuppett 4-7 0-0 8, Collen Gurley 2-4 0-0 5, Garrett Houser 4-10 0-0 11, Anthony Jackson 1-1 0-0 2, Branden Spaulding 2-6 2-3 6, Matt Salopek 0-0 0-0 0, Jacob Bonner 0-0 0-0 0, Mike Clark 0-0 0-0 0, Mark Dudek 0-0 0-0 0, Lance Tallmadge 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17-42 4-6 42.
Brunswick — Kyle Goessler 2-6 0-0 6, Zach Cebula 2-5 0-0 5, Aaron Badowski 2-5 0-2 6, Kevin Simmons 8-17 0-1 17, Michael Quiring 3-6 4-6 13, Keith Simmons 0-0 0-0 0, Austin Mick 0-0 0-0 0, Zak Zografos 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17-39 4-10 47.
3-point goals — Hoban 4-13 (Houser 3-6, Gurley 1-3, Bickley 0-1, Spaulding 0-3), Brunswick 9-23 (Quiring 3-4, Badowski 2-4, Goessler 2-6, Cebula 1-3, Kev. Simmons 1-6). Fouled out — Gurley. Rebounds — Hoban 24 (Bickley 8), Brunswick 22 (Badowski 7). Assists — Hoban 3 (Christian 2), Brunswick 13 (Kev. Simmons 7). Turnovers — Hoban 17 (Spaulding, Christian 4), Brunswick 13 (Kev. Simmons 4). Fouls — Hoban 16, Brunswick 10. Records — Hoban (18-6), Brunswick (20-4).

Albert Grindle
The Gazette
COPLEY TWP. — Medina small forward Luke Schaefer was so mesmerized by the biggest dunk of Jon Teske’s career he wanted to give the big fella a kiss — but not in front of 2,500 fans, of course.
All Teske could do was flash a smile as wide as his 7-foot-1 frame is tall because his teammates dedicated the Bees’ latest win to him.
The stars aligned Thursday in the Copley Division I District semifinals, as second-seeded, defending district champion Medina pulled off a double-digit rally behind its studs and made huge plays in crunch time to knock off fifth-seeded Stow 52-47 in another heart-pounder.
Arguably the most hyped showdown in Medina County history is set: Medina (19-6) vs. top-seeded Brunswick (20-4) for the district crown at 7 p.m. Saturday.
“I’m just glad we won,” a beaming Teske said.
The Bees trailed 32-21 at half, went on a 12-0 run over the first 4:53 of the third quarter and took a 40-36 lead on their only 3-pointer, a corner look by sophomore Colin Szumski with 7:07 to play. They fell behind 46-44 on a three-point play by Bulldogs center Logan Huffman (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) minutes later.
Medina scored eight of the final nine points, as Teske tied the game and a Schaefer strip-and-score gave the Bees a 48-46 advantage with 2:36 to go.
The score remained that way heading into the final minute, as Teske’s hulking presence led to a glass-balled post attempt by Huffman and an air-balled, foul-line jumper by 17.7-point scorer Nathan Bower-Malone (10 points, 4-for-15 shooting).
That set up a trap-everywhere, last-ditch stand by Stow (19-6), and the Bees eventually inbounded at midcourt. Teske got the ball near the sideline, fought through a borderline foul, saw a wide-open path to the basket and threw down a thunderous two-handed dunk with 35 seconds left.
The normally even-keeled Teske smiled when he reached the bench after an immediate Stow timeout — Ben Geschke iced the game with two free throws with 10.9 seconds to go — but Schaefer took the emotions one step further afterward.
“I wanted to kiss him,” Schaefer said with zero hesitation. “If it wasn’t in front of 1,000 people, I probably would have kissed the kid.”
Schaefer then was asked how many people would be required.
“If it’s something like that, it’s (still) a lot,” he quipped. “Maybe five- or six-hundred.”
Schaefer (17 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals) and Teske (18, 13, 3, 4 blocks) put on a brilliant two-man show while combining for 35 points, 17 rebounds, nine assists and four rejections. They accounted for 88.5 percent of their team’s points via scoring or assisting, including 40 of the first 42.
Medina trailed by 11 at half after struggling mightily defensively. Huffman keyed Stow with countless high-post screens that led to bad defensive switches, allowing sophomore Coryon Rice (18 points) to hit 4-of-4 3-pointers and give the Bulldogs their largest lead, 30-15, on a steal-and-score.
The Bees played inspired defense in the game-changing third quarter, limiting Stow, which committed just two turnovers, to four points on 1-for-10 shooting and simultaneously getting pace increased. Schaefer and Teske scored all of Medina’s 14 points in the period, and Schaefer wowed the crowd with his patented driving spins and acrobatic finishes.
Medina was down 36-35 entering the fourth, but momentum had clearly flipped. The Bees shot a sparkling 13-for-19 in the second half — Stow was 5-for-21 — and made 4-of-4 free throws after missing 3-of-4.
“It started at the defensive end,” Teske said. “(Coach Chris Hassinger) really got on us at halftime to play defense, and that’s what turned into our offense.”
Taking a cue from Brunswick’s 47-42 win over Hoban the previous night, the Bees didn’t play well but survived. They watched almost helplessly as Stow made 6-of-10 3-pointers in the first half, and Medina laid bricks all over the gym in a 1-for-12 effort from downtown.
Everything changed, however, when Medina realized the season was on the line.
The Bees have Teske and Schaefer to thank for that.
“At the end of the second quarter with a couple minutes left, we went on a little (6-0) run,” Teske said. “We got down (15 points), I think, and we just kind of told the team, ‘Keep going and keep fighting.’ That’s what we did all year, and that really showed tonight.”
Notes
Sophomore Dylan Fultz, who missed half the season due to injury, made two free throws that gave Medina a 44-41 lead in the fourth.
l Rice entered play averaging 9.7 points and had only 29 over the previous four games. Thursday marked the first time in 16 games he led Stow in scoring.
l Hassinger’s 34 wins are tied with Brunswick’s Larry Myers (1964-66) for fourth most in county history over a coach’s first two seasons. Wadsworth’s John Martin (1993-95), Medina’s Jody Peters (1998-2000) and Liverpool’s Craig Dowler (1944-46) are tied with 38.
Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.
Medina 52, Stow 47
Copley Division I District Semifinal
STOW 13 19 4 11 — 47
MEDINA 8 13 14 17 — 52
Stow — Nick Kollar 1-3 0-0 3, Logan Lindsay 1-5 0-0 2, Logan Huffman 5-11 4-7 14, Nathan Bower-Malone 4-15 1-2 10, Jared Wright 0-2 0-0 0, Kyle Vantrease 0-0 0-0 0, Coryon Rice 6-9 2-2 18, Jordan Jolly 0-1 0-0 0, Justin Harvey 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17-46 7-11 47.
Medina — Luke Schaefer 8-13 1-2 17, Jimmy Clark 2-2 0-0 4, Jon Teske 9-14 0-2 18, Jackson Sartain 1-5 0-0 2, Ben Geschke 1-4 2-2 4, Jimmy Daw 1-2 0-0 2, Colin Szumski 1-3 0-0 3, Dylan Fultz 0-0 2-2 2. TOTALS: 23-43 5-8 52.
3-point goals — Stow 6-16 (Rice 4-7, Kollar 1-1, Bower-Malone 1-6, Jolly 0-1, Lindsay 0-1), Medina 1-12 (Szumski 1-1, Schaefer 0-2, Teske 0-2, Geschke 0-3, Sartain 0-4). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — Stow 14 (Huffman 4), Medina 27 (Teske 13). Assists — Stow 7 (Bower-Malone 3), Medina 11 (Schaefer 6). Turnovers — Stow 2 (Huffman, Rice), Medina 7 (Clark 2). Fouls — Stow 12, Medina 11. Records — Stow (19-6), Medina (19-6).

Medina’s Ben Geschke and Brunswick’s Michael Quiring will face off in the Copley Division 1 District Championship game. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

Albert Grindle

The Gazette

There is no reason to downplay what everyone is talking about: One of the biggest boys basketball games in Medina County history will take place tonight.

The delectable rubber match will be on the table at 7 o’clock, as top-seeded Brunswick (20-4) will go blow for blow with second-seed archrival Medina (19-6) for the Copley Division I District championship. The winner gets Massillon Jackson (21-4) or Canton McKinley (20-5) in the University of Akron Regional semifinals Thursday.

Each team won at home in Greater Cleveland Conference play. The Bees survived 61-56 on Jan. 5, while the Blue Devils won 55-51 on Feb. 9 en route to their first league title since 1966.

“It’s great,” Medina small forward Luke Schaefer said. “After the loss in the Brunswick game, we rooted for them in this district. We wanted revenge so bad.

“We really feel like it’s such a great rivalry, you know what I mean? This is the best rivalry probably in Northeast Ohio.”

The game marks the third time county teams will meet for a district crown. Medina has been involved in all of them.

In a battle of state Route 57 rivals with a combined 39 wins, Wadsworth defeated the Bees 55-43 to win the 1995 University of Akron District. In 2004, Medina needed double-overtime to upset the Grizzlies 59-56 behind 29 points from all-time leading scorer Dontaie Anthony in front of 3,056 fans at Copley.

Tickets are $7 presale and $8 at the door, which opens at 6 o’clock. A sellout of 3,000-plus is expected.

“We’re really excited,” Blue Devils combo guard Kevin Simmons said. “We’re in the district finals. I don’t know how you couldn’t be excited. It helps a little bit we’re playing Medina in a rivalry game, but we’re more excited just to be here because last year we lost in the semifinals (to Lorain in triple-overtime).”

Brunswick, which has won 13 of its last 14 games, reached this stage with triumphs over No. 8 Highland (59-42) and third-seeded Hoban (47-42). The undersized Blue Devils defense has been a pleasant surprise with a 50.1 scoring average over the last nine games.

Much like Medina featuring 7-foot-1 Northeast Inland District D-I co-Player of the Year Jon Teske, Brunswick’s strength is obvious: Record-breaking 3-point shooting. The Blue Devils are tied for ninth in state history with 254 triples, as starters Simmons (6-1, sr., 15.7 ppg, 40 3-pointers), Michael Quiring (5-10, sr., 14.3, 57), Zach Cebula (6-2, sr., 11.8, 62), Aaron Badowski (6-6, sr., 8.4, 41) and Kyle Goessler (5-10, fr., 5.7, 39) are threats to connect at any time.

Brunswick saw Stow fluster Medina in the first half Thursday with a myriad of high-post screens that led to good perimeter attempts. The Blue Devils then saw the Bees regroup and clamp down in the second half, holding the Bulldogs to 15 points on 5-for-21 shooting.

“We’re just excited to play any team,” Badowski said. “We’re trying to hunt for a win and get back on the ladders and cut down the nets again.”

Winning seven of its last eight games behind a 47.9 defensive average, Medina defeated last-seeded Akron North (88-38), No. 6 Walsh Jesuit (72-57) and No. 5 Stow (52-47) to reach a district title game for the eighth time in the last 21 years. Teske has stepped up with a 19.0 scoring average since Jan. 29 when a five-point showing against North is thrown out.

The rim-attacking 6-3 Schaefer (16.5) is coming off a dynamite second half against Stow. Sharpshooter Jackson Sartain (6-0, jr., 11.9, 59 3-pointers) had a season-low two points but has otherwise been the team’s X-factor all season, while two-year starting point guard Ben Geschke (6-1, jr., 7.4), power forward Jimmy Clark (6-5, sr., 2.8) and backups Jimmy Daw (6-4, jr., 4.4), Colin Szumski (5-11, so., 3.8) and Dylan Fultz (5-10, so., 1.4) all have contributed big plays in the tournament.

The Bees did not take advantage of Teske enough in the last matchup against Brunswick — at least not before a last-ditch comeback bid — but a lot has changed since as they are shooting a sparkling .620 (57-for-92) from inside the 3-point arc over the last three games.

“We expect them to come out and play good basketball and really good defense,” Schaefer said. “They’ll shoot the heck out of the ball — they do that so well — and we’re just going to have to game plan going in and see what happens.”

No matter which team is victorious, the county will have a school in the regional semifinals for only the 12th time. That means as much as anything.

“It’s going to be fun,” Teske said after the Stow win. “This gym is going to be packed.”

Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.

Wadsworth head coach Andrew Booth and Jodi Johnson will take on Toledo Whitmer in the Regional Championship game. This will be the fourth Regional Championship for the pair. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

Albert Grindle

The Gazette

The demons that live inside the Wadsworth girls basketball team’s house of horrors are going to be exorcised.

That’s the plan, anyway.

The Grizzlies will travel to Norwalk High for the fifth straight season to play today in a 1 p.m. Division I regional championship game. The opponent is not Toledo Notre Dame Academy, as Toledo Whitmer (22-6) upset the Eagles to win its first district title in 24 years.

As the top-ranked team in the final Associated Press D-I state poll, Wadsworth (25-1) expected to be in this position. However, that diminishes neither the excitement nor the accomplishment.

“It’s unreal. I’m really thankful to be able to get this far each year,” Grizzlies power forward Jenna Johnson said. “Hopefully this year we’ll be able to make it a little farther than we have been.

“Obviously, it’s a big game. That’s what comes to my mind. We have to come out ready to play.”

Whitmer (22-6) knocked off Notre Dame after losing to the Eagles twice in Three Rivers Athletic Conference play. The first defeat featured Notre Dame being without Michigan recruit Brelynn Hampton-Bey, who sat the first 11 games after transferring from Rogers.

The Panthers have rallied from seven-point, second-half deficits in each of the last two games. They did it against Notre Dame in a 44-41 win and Westlake in a 41-38 regional semifinal victory.

Though Whitmer finished behind co-champions Notre Dame and Toledo Central Catholic in the TRAC standings, coach Sean Flemmings’ squad is playing without fear because few expected it to be here.

“What makes them a tough matchup is they have really good balance,” Grizzlies coach Andrew Booth said.

Like Wadsworth, the Panthers’ offense uses two posts and likes to work inside-out. While Whitmer has 3-point shooters in recent hero Maddie Brown (5-6, so.), Sara Semler (5-7, jr.) and Katie Conkle (jr.), ESPN three-star recruit Bryce Blood is the unquestioned key player.

The 6-foot-2 junior is the team’s lone double-digit scorer at approximately 14 points per game. The Panthers prefer to set screens with 5-10 Tyra James to get Blood either isolated on the block or rolling to the rim, much like Magnificat star power forward Elise Keshock.

The glaring difference between Whitmer and the Blue Streaks, however, is Blood is surrounded by 3-point shooters who also aren’t afraid to attack the rim if the defense falls asleep or closes too hard.

“They’re really solid,” Johnson said. “They have a lot of people who can score at the offensive end. We just need to play defense.”

If the postseason has been any indicator, the first quarter could be the difference.

Over their last four first periods, the Grizzlies have scored 96 points on 33-of-63 field goals (.524), 8-of-20 3-pointers (.400) and 22-of-24 free throws (.917). Opponents have 22 points on 7-of-27, 3-of-14 and 5-of-6 while committing 37 turnovers.

Ashland recruit Jodi Johnson is pumping in 20.3 points (7.5 in first quarters) on 28-of-38 field goals, 7-of-11 3-pointers and 18-of-21 free throws. Centers Peyton Banks (13.5, 4.0 rpg) and Lexi Lance (10.3, 7.8) also are north of double figures, while point guard Sophia Fortner is posting 9.3 points, 3.8 assists and 1.8 turnovers.

Wadsworth is averaging 74.0 points in the tournament. That’s a 17.6 increase from the regular season, but a lot of that has to do with frantic second halves after opponents fall behind by 20-30 points.

Pace again will be critical, as Whitmer has allowed 67, 61, 73 and 74 points in losses, though it must be noted two of those games were decided by one and two points, respectively.

“We really need to set the tempo,” Jenna Johnson said. “We need to get them moving fast and kind of out of control so we can control the game.”

Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.

Brunswick’s Aaron Badowski celebrates during the Blue Devils’ victory over Medina in the Copley Division I District Final. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

COPLEY TWP. — The Brunswick boys basketball team is heading to regionals for the first time since 1999.

The top-seeded Blue Devils got 18 points on six 3-pointers by center Aaron Badowski and took control in the middle quarters to defeat No. 2 archrival Medina 51-39 and win the Copley Division I District championship.

Brunswick (21-4) will play Canton District winner Canton McKinley at the University of Akron on Thursday.

Coach Joe Mackey’s team also got 10 points apiece from Michael Quiring and Kevin Simmons and nine from Zach Cebula.

Defending district champion Medina (19-7) got 14 points from Jon Teske and 12 from Jackson Sartain but was outscored 24-7 in the middle quarters.

Read The Gazette on Monday for full coverage.

Jodi Johnson savored the moment as she slowly but surely climbed the ladder underneath the north basket at Norwalk High. The egoless superstar cut the final piece of the net, turned to the Wadsworth faithful, raised the nylon into the air and spun it triumphantly.

Johnson must have felt like she was on top of the world. Really, the Grizzlies were on Cloud 9.

Wadsworth’s Jodi Johnson scores against Whitmer’s Tyra James, right, Bryce Blood and Mirandia Green, left, during the fourth quarter. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

Four years of crying in sorrow led to this moment of crying in joy. No basketball team in Medina County history has deserved such a surreal experience, one of jubilation, love and, above all else, an immeasurable sense of relief.

Wadsworth won a Division I regional championship Saturday with an emotional roller coaster of a 47-39 triumph over Toledo Whitmer. The Grizzlies pulled off what they never could do against Toledo Notre Dame Academy in each of the previous four years: Win.

This was for the 17 graduated players who never got to bask in the glory of a trip to Value City Arena because of Notre Dame. This was for the community that gave the Grizzlies a round of applause at Applebees following a regional semi victory over Magnificat four days prior, and, most heartwarming of all, this was for their buddy, late superfan Zane Walker.

Read this sentence one time: Wadsworth is going to Columbus.

“We did it!” a giddy Johnson said. “Finally, man. It’s awesome, especially with our …”

Johnson then threw up the double quotations a la Dr. Evil from “Austin Powers” before saying “streak.”

The afternoon was fitting in the sense that nothing came easy. Why would anything come easy? The Grizzlies were never challenged seriously in Northeast Ohio circles and obliterated four tournament foes on their way to Saturday. The law of averages, cruel as it can be, fought back.

Maybe too pumped up, maybe struggling with awful lighting in an otherwise gorgeous gym or maybe thrown off-kilter because the Panthers weren’t guarding anyone inside 15 feet, Wadsworth was 3-for-18 in the first quarter and 8-for-33 in the half yet managed to lead 22-14 because of lights-out defense.

Johnson came alive in the decisive middle periods, most notably coming off a Lexi Lance screen, taking an inbounds pass from Sophia Fortner and drilling a corner 3-pointer to give Wadsworth is biggest lead at 29-15 just 74 seconds into the third. The Grizzlies never delivered the knockout punch against an admirable opponent — the game teetered on that moment multiple times — yet led 35-22 early in the fourth.

That’s when a four-corner offense nearly backfired, as Fortner and Johnson committed two turnovers apiece trying to burn clock. Whitmer guard Julia Kimmel was magnificent with 11 points in the fourth, getting the score to 38-33, 41-35 and 41-37 despite clutch steals by Jenna Johnson and Fortner.

The crowd could sense what was possible. The Associated Press state poll champion was on edge. One more oh-no play and a stunner of epic proportions could happen.

Jodi Johnson (29 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Fortner (4 points, 5 assists, 5 steals) refused to let their team lose.

Fortner split free throws at the 1:39 mark with the Sam Hunt song “House Party” playing in her head. Johnson then cut off Tyra James along the sideline, causing James to lose her balance out of bounds. Fortner split two more free throws and tipped away a Sara Semler pass out of the press, giving way for two more Johnson free throws that put Wadsworth up 45-37 with 46.7 seconds left.

That’s four points without Whitmer crossing half court.

“This happened,” Fortner said. “We worked hard for it, and we deserved it.”

Grizzlies coach Andrew Booth played out the scenario in the shower earlier in the day, and Wadsworth wasn’t going to hang back defensively and protect the lead. Given how the Grizzlies ironically took zero official shots over the final five minutes — Johnson was fouled on a driving layup attempt — they were going to live or die with their legendary press.
Big-time players ultimately made big-time plays. That’s what tournament basketball is all about.

“Those two are obviously two of the brightest basketball players that I’ve ever had the privilege to coach,” Booth said.

When the final buzzer sounded, Peyton Banks sprinted toward the bench, screaming in excitement before leaping into Lexi Lance’s arms at mid court. Jenna Johnson did the same with Olivia Chaney, while senior three-year starter Laurel Palitto teared up, knowing almost as well as Jodi Johnson the feeling of reaching a mountain summit that once felt impossible.

Jodi Johnson was Jodi Johnson, coolly jogging with her fist pumping in the air. She looked at her parents, Carol and Rick, in the middle of the stands and flashed a smile that has made her one of the most likeable kids in a long line of them from Wadsworth. She then joined her bubbly twin, Palitto and Chaney in a group hug alongside their teammates.

“I couldn’t see myself getting a little overemotional there,” Johnson said as tears began to build. “I’ve been able to hold it in until now.”

Freshman Maria Busson, who didn’t play Saturday but has Grizzly basketball in her blood as the little sister of Cara and Britt, began the net-cutting ceremony as the student section sang along to the Queen song “We Are the Champions.” Booth held the ladder as each player snipped her piece of history.

Knowing her team was saving her for last, Jodi Johnson mingled. She got a hug from always classy Notre Dame coach Travis Galloway and buried her head into the shoulder of former teammate Hannah Centea.

Finally it was time for Johnson’s ceremonial ending to an unforgettable afternoon.

“It’s awesome, it’s awesome, it’s awesome,” Johnson said.

Yes it is, kiddo, yes it is.

COPLEY TWP. — Cancer survivor Josh Herron grabbed the final rebound and dribbled toward center court as the final seconds ticked away at the Copley Division I District championship.

The senior then threw the ball so high into the air it reached the rafters as the buzzer sounded, igniting a party 17 years in the making for Brunswick’s boys basketball team.

Brunswick’s Aaron Badowski shoots a three point shot over Medina’s Jon Teske during the second quarter. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

Getting a virtuoso performance from center Aaron Badowski and going on a breathtaking run in the middle quarters, the Blue Devils added another slice of history to their storybook season with a 51-39 victory over archrival Medina in front of a passionate sellout crowd.

Top-seeded Brunswick (21-4) won a league title for the first time since 1966 in the regular season. On Saturday, it won a district title for the first time since 1999 and tied the 1979-80 team for the most wins in school history.

Next stop: The University of Akron Regional to battle Canton McKinley (21-5) on Thursday night.

“I don’t have the words to describe it,” Badowski said. “To win that game, I don’t know, I can’t even talk about it.

“We were able to get the conference, which we haven’t done in 50 years, and to get this one against our rivals, it’s insane.”

The Blue Devils trailed 17-7 before a Kevin Simmons 3-pointer jump-started a 25-5 run that ended with eight points in 22 seconds midway through the third quarter. Zach Cebula’s first 3-pointer of the night capped it and put Brunswick in front 32-22.

The second-seeded Bees (19-7), who scored a mere seven points over 19:12 while falling behind 38-24, got no closer than eight points the rest of the night despite the efforts of Mr. Basketball finalist Jon Teske (14 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks), Jackson Sartain (12, 4-of-7 3-pointers) and Luke Schaefer (11, 4 rebounds, 3 assists).

Badowski was a 6-foot-6 man on a mission, flaring on pick-and-pops and drilling six consecutive 3-pointers while also playing leave-his-heart-on-the-floor defense on the 7-1 Teske. All 5-10 of point guard Michael Quiring (10 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals) shot 5-for-16 but completely controlled tempo with a turnover-free effort, while Simmons (10 points, 3-of-10 shooting) also reached double-figures and Cebula scored all nine of his points in the second half.

Behind Badowski (6-for-8) and Cebula (2-for-3), Brunswick made 9-of-25 3-pointers to move into eighth in state history with 263.

“That (17-7 deficit) kind of hurt because we you were like, ‘Jeez, what can we do to stop them?’” Quiring said. “All of a sudden, (Badowski) starts bailing us out and we start helping off (on Teske) a lot more. I think that was key — rebounding, stopping the big guy and getting out on No. 12 (Sartain), which was huge.”

Momentum flipped when the Blue Devils double-teamed Teske — the Michigan recruit scored eight points in the first nine minutes — and dared anyone but Sartain to connect from the outside. No one did, as Sartain, Schaefer and Teske were 14-for-29 and the rest of the team was 1-for-14.

To compound matters, Bees guards didn’t fight through screens well enough to stop Badowski.

Badowski responded with three straight threes on pick-and-pops from Quiring to cut the deficit to 21-19. Quiring then blew by his man for a layup to tie the game with 2:43 left in the half, and Badowski again connected from deep to give Brunswick the lead for good.

Saving his best bomb for last, Badowski’s only 3-pointer of the second half began the lightning-fast 8-0 run. Quiring followed with a strip-and-score, Medina missed a quick shot and Cebula got on the scoreboard from the corner.

There still was 3:39 left to play in the third, but the Blue Devils were in control and first-quarter Medina standouts Sartain and Teske were limited the rest of the night. Sartain was 1-for-4 over the final three periods, while Teske missed five of his final six shots.

“Every guy on this team can shoot, and everyone got their looks,” said Badowski, who had 18 points over the prior four games. “It was just me (tonight). I was knocking them down. … I mean, it’s good for it to be me, but I don’t really care as long as win the game.”

“We did not want to sag off of (Badowski),” Bees coach Chris Hassinger added. “Our goal was to be a shell and keep guys in front — go under (screens) — and if (Brunswick) could shoot off the dribble with a contested hand, we thought we’d win the game.”

Medina predictably made a last stand after falling behind 41-27 with 5:43 left, as the Bees scored the next four points before Schaefer missed a wide-open, in-rhythm transition 3-pointer. Schaefer bounced back, though, to make the score 41-33 with two free throws.

Quiring then rose to the occasion, finding freshman Kyle Goessler for a reverse layup with 2:48 to play. Cebula, a 90 percent free throw shooter, made Brunswick’s first foul shots of the game less than a minute later to push the score to 45-33, while Cebula, Simmons and Goessler, who entered 1-for-4 at the line in his career, closed the game by making 6-of-8 free throws.

“Unfortunately, we have to play from behind a lot,” said Cebula, whose team has trailed after the first quarter 10 times this season. “We don’t get off to the best starts in half the games, but we battle back. We’re really confident with how we shoot the ball. A lot of teams don’t have that ability, so it’s nice.”

Blue Devils coach Joe Mackey was completely focused on the moment at hand throughout. Once Simmons grabbed a defensive rebound and was fouled with 18 seconds left, however, Mackey turned away from the play, clapped, pumped his fist and yelled “Hell, yeah!”

Mackey’s players proved — again — they have the mental toughness of champions.

“All that matters is the win,” Quiring said. “I love these guys so much, and that’s all I’m worried about right now.”

Brunswick 51, Medina 39
Copley Division I District Final
MEDINA 17 5 2 15 — 39
BRUNSWICK 10 14 10 17 — 51
Medina — Jackson Sartain 4-7 0-0 12, Luke Schaefer 4-9 3-5 11, Jon Teske 6-13 2-2 14, Colin Szumski 0-2 0-0 0, Ben Geschke 0-7 0-0 0, Dylan Fultz 1-3 0-0 2, Jimmy Clark 0-1 0-0 0, Matthew McNaughton 0-0 0-0 0, Jimmy Daw 0-1 0-0 0, Sam McKee 0-0 0-0 0, Jared Keith 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 15-43 5-7 39.
Brunswick — Kyle Goessler 1-4 2-2 4, Zach Cebula 2-4 3-4 9, Aaron Badowski 6-9 0-0 18, Kevin Simmons 3-10 3-4 10, Michael Quiring 5-16 0-1 10, Zak Zografos 0-1 0-0 0, Keith Simmons 0-0 0-0 0, Tyler Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Filip Grdic 0-0 0-0 0, Austin Mick 0-0 0-0 0, Josh Herron 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17-44 8-11 51.
3-point goals — Medina 4-15 (Sartain 4-7, Szumski 0-2, Schaefer 0-2, Geschke 0-4), Brunswick 9-25 (Badowski 6-8, Cebula 2-3, Kev. Simmons 1-3, Zografos 0-1, Goessler 0-3, Quiring 0-7). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — Medina 31 (Teske 14), Brunswick 18 (Quiring 5). Assists — Medina 9 (Geschke, Schaefer, Szumski 3), Brunswick 10 (Quiring 6). Turnovers — Medina 11 (Geschke, Schaefer 3), Brunswick 4 (Kev. Simmons 2). Fouls — Medina 16, Brunswick 10. Records — Medina (19-7), Brunswick (21-4).

When your tradition-rich girls basketball team wins a Division I regional championship for the first time in 10 years, sticking out during postgame celebrations can be a little difficult. Everyone’s happy, everyone’s hugging, everyone’s smiling, so on and so forth.

Laurel Palitto cherished Wadsworth’s 47-39 win over Toledo Whitmer on Saturday arguably more than anyone.

Laurel Palitto shoots for Wadsworth. RON SCHWANE/GAZETTE

The fun-loving senior embodies what makes great teams great. She’s sacrificed so much to help the Grizzlies earn a berth in the state semifinals, and she doesn’t think twice about it.

What made the net-cutting so special for Palitto, though, was how much she loves her team and school. It’s a good bet no Wadsworth player cried more during that one-hour celebration at Norwalk High.

“We have worked so hard,” said Palitto, who then paused before continuing. “I’m going to cry again. I’ve cried a lot. I don’t know why. To finally get to where we’ve wanted to reach since we’ve been little kids, it’s been unreal. I’m excited about it, and to have the support of the community is so great.

“When Jodi (Johnson) lifted that trophy into the air, I broke down because everyone was standing and cheering. My family and friends were grinning ear to ear, and I looked at my teammates and they were doing the same. I was thinking, ‘I love this.’ It humbled me a lot.”

Palitto has done her fair share of humbling opponents in three seasons as a starter — Wadsworth is 75-6 — and her contributions can’t be measured in statistics.

A 5-foot-10 small forward, Palitto averages 3.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals. That doesn’t seem like much, but it’s extremely important to point out Palitto is totally cool with that.

When your team has other future college players such as Jodi Johnson, Sophia Fortner, Lexi Lance and Peyton Banks, there’s no reason to try to play hero.

And when your 26-1 team earns the privilege to step onto the court Friday night against Reynoldsburg (23-5) at Value City Arena, there’s no reason to argue with the results. Just enjoy the ride.

“I can’t believe this is going to be the last week,” Palitto said. “It’s going to make me sad. We’ve had some good moments and fun memories. We’ve known each other since basketball camp, city league, travel league. They’re my second family. I’m going to miss this a lot. I know that right now.”

Players don’t start for teams like Wadsworth for three years without ability. Make no mistake: Palitto can play. The University of Rio Grande wouldn’t want her to play basketball and study sonography if she couldn’t.

Known as “Lo” to her teammates, Palitto specializes in defense, unselfish passing and jump shots within the flow of the offense. She also isn’t afraid to get physical — she has taken four charges this season — is a career 68 percent foul shooter and a 3.6 grade-point average proves she takes the classroom as seriously as basketball.

Palitto remembers her varsity promotion and being blown away by the speed of a summer league game at Solon. She also remembers the honor that came with starting as a 10th-grader and how close her bond remains with then-seniors Hannah Centea, Peyton Booth and Madison Gilger.

Palitto played power forward her first two seasons before assistant coach Mark Postak recommended flipping spots with then-small forward Jenna Johnson. The move outside has highlighted Palitto’s strengths, as she is second on the team with 19 3-pointers, masterful at running the secondary break and money at throwing post-entry bounce passes that often split multiple defenders in the key.

Like the rest of the team, however, the soccer player gets the biggest thrills at the other end.

“My favorite part of defense would have to be doing something really well for a long period of time and the crowd all of sudden starts clapping,” said Palitto, who has 330 points, 155 assists and 147 steals in her 88-game career. “At Medina (in the district tournament), we got a good stop and an and-one. It was pass to pass to pass to pass and finish, and everyone was included. It was a beautiful play, and I loved it. I feed off the crowd.”

One of the team’s emotional leaders, Palitto also has a dry, goofy and sometimes self-deprecating sense of humor. Without breaking stride, she blurted out “at least I think that’s how I think” and sarcastically said this close-knit group of girls is “sometimes too comfortable” with each other.

Asked to explain why she’s that way, Palitto said she was raised to “live outside your comfort zone, have fun and enjoy the moment while it lasts.”

Coach Andrew Booth appreciates that Palitto is comfortable in her own skin.

“She knows when it’s time to get serious and have a little fun,” said Booth, who also praised Palitto for her dependability. “I don’t think it can always be the coaches that set that tone. It’s going to have to be a player. She’s certainly been one of those kids for us, for sure.”

Palitto’s memorable career is coming to a close, but it’s not over yet. Despite all the excitement, she couldn’t be more focused.

The Grizzlies aren’t going to Columbus to soak in the atmosphere. They’re going to Columbus to bring home a state championship.

“We definitely have a job, and it’s a passion,” she said. “We don’t want to lose. We’re going down there to win because (late fan) Zane Walker asked if we could do it for him. I hope we do it for him, and I hope we do it for the fans. We’ve had a lot of support.

“I don’ t know my life without (Wadsworth basketball), honestly, since going from little Laurel to big Laurel. My best friends have come from this program, my family has grown in this program, my community is in this program. I’ll remember these people forever. When I don’t wear that jersey again — and I can’t imagine the day — I’ll remember it was great to have this much support. I don’t deserve it.”

COLUMBUS — A Division I special mention All-Ohioan last season, Lexi Civittolo took a step upward Tuesday when she was awarded a D-II third-team All-Ohio accolade by The Associated Press.

Lexi Civittolo

The Cloverleaf senior was the only player from the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division who was higher than special mention.

A 5-foot-11 point forward headed to D-II Seton Hill, Civittolo averaged 22.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 4.0 steals and 1.5 blocks for the Colts (16-7), who tied a school record with a second-place finish in the PTC Metro. She also tied the Medina County single-game scoring record with 39 points at Triway.

Civittolo finished her career with 1,395 points, ranking first in school history and seventh in Medina County. She also had more than 500 rebounds, 125 assists, 200 steals and and 100 blocks.

Keystone junior McKenah Peters was second team. Firelands’ Keely Hall was special mention, while honorable mention nods went to Woodridge’s Abbe Esterak, Ravenna’s Taylor Geib and Autumn Rutherford and Revere’s Emily Brock and Camryn Brown

All-Ohio
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — The 2015-16 Associated Press Division II All-Ohio girls basketball team, based on the recommendations of a media panel, with school, height, class and scoring average:
GIRLS
DIVISION II
First team: Amani Burke, Columbus Eastmoor Academy, 5-foot-9, senior, 14.3 points per game; Kori Sidwell, Zanesville Maysville, 5-9, sr., 18.8; Sara Price, Warren Howland, 6-1, jr., 22.0; Corrione Cardwell, Cleveland East Tech, 5-8, sr., 21.0; Byrdy Galernik, Toledo Central Catholic, 5-8, sr., 18.7; Shawnee Smith, Chillicothe, 5-7, so., 15.8; Gabby Ozoude, Bellbrook, 6-2, sr., 15.0; Andrea Cecil, Oak Harbor, 6-0, sr., 23.0; Danielle Norquest, Ravenna Southeast, 5-10, jr., 23.1; Libby Bazelak, Kettering Archbishop Alter, 5-8, jr., 14.8.
Players of the year: Amani Burke, Columbus Eastmoor Academy; Byrdy Galernik, Toledo Central Catholic; Gabby Ozoude, Bellbrook
Coaches of the year: Bennie Carroll, Blanchester; Pat Miller, Zanesville Maysville
Second team: Kendall Stuckman, Caledonia River Valley, 5-7, sr., 18.5; Ali Poole, Carrollton, 5-11, sr., 18.5; Addie Becker, Cortland Lakeview, 6-0, sr., 19.2; Alex Cade, Shaker Heights Laurel School, 6-1, jr., 16.0; Jiselle Thomas, Norwalk, 5-8, jr., 29.0; Jordin Blakeman, Circleville, 5-9, jr., 15.2; Miquela Santoro, Clarksville Clinton-Massie, 5-0, sr., 21.0; Annie Pavlansky, Cortland Lakeview, 6-0, so., 15.8; McKenah Peters, Keystone, 5-8, jr., 21.0; Kadie Hempfling, Ottawa-Glandorf, 5-9, so., 14.3.
Third team: Hannah Clark, West Holmes, 5-11, sr., 16.1; Lexi Civittolo, Cloverleaf, 5-11, sr., 22.3; Riley Schill, Elyria Catholic, 5-6, sr.,13.0; Tanaya Beacham, Toledo Rogers, 6-2, sr., 15.0; Michaela Puckett, McArthur Vinton County, 5-10, sr., 17.0; . Jamari McDavid, Springfield Kenton Ridge, 5-10, jr., 23.4; Nikki Current, Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan, 5-8, so., 22.5; Kara Marshall, Hoban, 5-8, sr., 13.0; Dani Lawson, Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown, 6-2, jr., 14.0; Erica Johnson, Mansfield Senior, 6-0, jr., 22.0.
Special mention: Zaria McBride, Whitehall-Yearling; Maddi Lusk, Johnstown-Monroe; Brie Toney, Columbus Bexley; Lysaih Rice, Steubenville; Alli DeLaney, Belmont Union Local; Lilly Ritz, Cambridge; Anna DeFilippo, St. Clairsville; Bethany Davis, Wintersville Indian Creek; Bella Gajdos, Poland Seminary; Jane Uecker, St. Vincent-St. Mary; Victoria Rappach, Warren Howland; Lindsey Mayle, Geneva; Kelly Hall, Firelands; Tanner Bryant, Washington Court House Miami Trace; Laken Smith, Waverly; Taylor Polley, Greenfield McClain; Donna Swinehart, Thornville Sheridan; Rebekah Green, Jackson.
Honorable mention: Cedrica Anderson, Columbus East; Janiyah Joyce, Columbus Linden; Morgan Lott, Caledonia River Valley; Alivia Milesky, Plain City Jonathan Alder; Courtney Vierstra, Hebron Lakewood; Marisa Goodright, Byesville Meadowbrook; Becky Zeroski, Rayland Buckeye Local; Destiny Hutcheson, Philo; Jose Chaddock, Minerva; Brittleigh Macaulay, West Holmes; Kara Hutcheson, Philo; Aaliyah Currence, New Philadelphia; Kendal Kirkbride, Zanesville Maysville; Abbe Esterak, Woodridge; Taylor Geib, Ravenna; Autumn Retherford, Ravenna; Makayla Trebella, Girard; Emily Brock, Revere; Camryn Brown, Richfield Revere; Rachel Chessar, Akron Archbishop Hoban; Chloe Cheresne, Salem; Emily Melnek, Poland Seminary; Shantell Bostick, Cleveland East Tech; Jayla Sanford, Cleveland Central Catholic; Hailey Peoples, Geneva; Emily Smock, Jefferson; Nora Ziebarth, Bay Village Bay; Morgan Daniel, Cleveland East Tech; Hannah Harlor, Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown; Jackie Garrett, Shelby; NaShail Shelby, Ontario; Brittanie Ulmer, Lima Bath; Keasja Peace, Toledo Rogers; Kendal Glandorff, Bowling Green; Kylie White, Ottawa-Glandorf; Jenna Strayer, Bellevue; Osh Brown, Chillicothe; Anya Bingman, Circleville; Victoria Fliehman, Washington Court House Miami Trace; Hannah Haithcock, Washington Court House Washington; Molly McCutcheon, Vincent Warren; Katrina Scheuvront, Thornville Sheridan; Jalen Hale, McArthur Vinton County; Braxtin Miller, Kettering Archbishop Alter; Hannah Tubbs, Norwood; Ashli O’Neal, Cincinnati Wyoming; Aubrey Cox, Tipp City Tippecanoe; Sydney Bates, Springfield Kenton Ridge.
DIVISION III
First team: Bridgette Rettstatt, Worthington Christian, 6-foot-0, junior, 23.4 points per game; Izzy Meese, Sugarcreek Garaway, 5-7, sr., 16.0; Audrey Tingle, West Lafayette Ridgewood, 5-7, jr., 17.0; Ashley Richardson, Chippewa, 6-1, sr., 18.3; Naz Hillmon, Gates Mills Gilmour Academy, 6-2, so., 17.7; Renee Stimpert, Ashland Crestview, 5-9, sr., 27.4; Lexie Barrier, Ironton, 5-11, sr., 18.1; Ravin Alexander, Cincinnati Summit Country Day, 5-5, so., 11.2; Trinniti Hall, Orrville, 5-11, sr., 19.1; Jamie Peterson, West Liberty-Salem, 6-4, sr., 15.4.
Players of the year: Lexie Barrier, Ironton; Bridgette Rettstatt, Worthington Christian; Ashley Richardson, Chippewa
Coach of the year: Jon Dawson, Willard; Doug Graham, Ironton
Second team: Jordon Horston, Columbus Africentric, 5-11, fr., 11.0; Taylor Royster, Beachwood, 5-8, so., 25.0; Gabi Baldridge, Willard, 6-4, sr., 16.1; Ella Skeens, Chillicothe Southeastern, 5-11, so., 21.0; Julia Jenike, Bethel-Tate, 5-10, sr., 18.0; Summer Blevins, Marion Pleasant, 6-0, jr., 13.9; Mayci Sales, Tuslaw, 6-0, jr., 15.3; Alison Schafer, Columbia, 5-8, sr., 20.0; Leah Richardson, Albany Alexander, 5-9, jr., 18.4; Haley Pickard, Genoa, 5-6, sr., 17.0.
Third team: Tyrah King, Martins Ferry, 5-10, sr., 19.0; Grayson Rose, Garrettsville Garfield, 6-2, jr., 18.5; Gabrielle Kline, Newton Falls, 6-1, sr., 19.1; Emily Kelley, Gates Mills Gilmour Academy, 5-10, jr., 17.5; Seina Adachi, Attica Seneca East, 5-7, sr., 18.5; Ali Little, Lynchburg-Clay, 6-1, sr., 10.3; Kristen Combs, Jamestown Greeneview, 5-6, sr. 14.6; Korynne Berner, Springfield Northwestern, 5-11, sr., 12.5; Eden Eisel, Metamora Evergreen, 5-9, sr., 12.5; Kallee Dowler, Barnesville, 5-8, jr., 18.0.
Special mention: Sage Brannon, Cardington; Delaney Cutteridge, Columbus Bishop Ready; Allison Kuhn, Woodsfield Monroe Central; Shayla Markovich, Barnesville; Morgan Czopur, South Range; Dayshanette Harris, Ursuline; Hanna Risaliti, Canton Central Catholic; Micah Findley, Wooster Triway; Taylor Somodji, Kirtland; Shelby Zoeckler, Garfield Heights Trinity; Lamya Ford, Warrensville Heights; Olivia VanSlooten, Toledo Ottawa Hills; Jade Clement, Columbus Grove; Sydney Holden, Wheelersburg; Sydney Webb, Ironton; Jessie Addis, Nelsonville-York; Emily Chapman, Proctorville Fairland; Staci Dinsmore, Seaman North Adams.
Honorable mention: Landen Collins, Baltimore Liberty Union; Autumn Hudson, North Union; Leah Morrow, Columbus Africentric; Rachel Neff, Columbus Bishop Ready; Claire Sterling, West Jefferson; Paige Richards, Cadiz Harrison Central; Macy Crozier, Bellaire; Kayla Hall, Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley; Kendra Miller, Sugarcreek Garaway; Carley Kandel, northwestern; Karlee Pezzano, Lisbon David Anderson; Alexis Gates, Columbiana Crestview; Maddie Durkin, Canfield South Range; Carly Koncz, Chippewa; Alley Leeman, Navarre Fairless; Madisson Geddes, Garrettsville Garfield; Isabelle Kline, Newton Falls; Becky Adelman, Waterloo; Marisa Finazzo, Gates Mills Gilmour Academy; Megan Kuczmarski, Independence; Maurinia Nunn, Beachwood; Jada Stevens, Beachwood; Becca Tacchiti, Columbia; Mercedeez Francis, Garfield Heights Trinity; Hallie Zumack, Independence; Kendra Seifring, Fort Recovery; Morgan Mattimore, Delta; Haili Mossing, Metamora Evergreen; Kelci Simms, Bucyrus; Nicollette DeVincentis, Findlay Liberty-Benton; Sydney Holderman, Mount Blanchard Riverdale; Morgan Smoyer, Tontogany Otsego; Regan Stonerock, Williamsport Westfall; Kelsie Robinson, Williamsport Westfall; Rachel Richardson, Albany Alexander; Kaitlyn Hurd, Nelsonville-York; Cheyenne Scott, Ironton; Haley Rawlins, South Point; Kaylee Curry, Chesapeake; Kaci Russell, Ironton Rock Hill; Taylor Perry, Proctorville Fairland; Emily Compliment, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant; Allison Day, Sardinia Eastern Brown; Ellie Ruby, Wheelersburg; Erin Daniels, Minford; McKayla Binkley, Lynchburg-Clay; Hannah Binkley, Lynchburg-Clay; Avery Harper, Seaman North Adams; Allie Russell, New Lexington; Rachel Murray, Waynesville; Mary Englert, Cincinnati Maderia; Kelli Bush, Middletown Madison Senior; Morgan Haney, Casstown Miami East; Molly McGraw, Hamilton Badin.

WESTFIELD TWP. — One of the longest streaks in Medina County high school sports history has claimed another coaching victim.

Marty Ryan

Marty Ryan resigned Tuesday as Cloverleaf boys basketball coach. The 55-year-old had a 14-78 record over four seasons, including a 2-21 mark this winter.

A chemistry teacher at the high school, Ryan is the 11th coach since the Colts last had a winning season in 1987-88, with Medina County Sports Hall of Famer Rick Hewit having two stints. Their record since is 119-478, a .199 percentage.

“My wife (Kristina) has been talking with me about this at length this season, and at this point in my life, this is what I need to do,” Ryan said. “It’s quite a bit of a time commitment, so I need to back off a little bit and resign. It was nothing dramatic or anything else.”

Ryan had been the Cloverleaf freshman or junior varsity coach for the better part of 25 years before he took over a 1-20 program in 2012-13. Cloverleaf was 6-17 in his first season behind Toledo football recruit Robby Buckwald and went 2-21 and 4-19 over the next two.

The Colts moved to the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division this season, but inexperience and lack of height contributed to a 2-21 record that had only PTC Metro wins over Springfield and Ravenna. The Colts allowed 72.2 points per game, the second-highest figure in school history (78.3, 1995-96).

“It’s something I always thought would be nice to give it a try,” Ryan said. “I appreciate Cloverleaf giving me an opportunity to do so. I enjoyed working with the athletes. It was enjoyable and a lot more intense. I really enjoyed the four more years I had to coach.”

AKRON — Get ready to feel the heat.

The Brunswick boys basketball team (21-4) will have another shot to add to its already impressive resume tonight when it plays storied Canton McKinley (21-5) in a University of Akron Division I Regional semifinal at 7.

Infused with four starters thanks to a merger with Timken, the Bulldogs are athletic, skilled and feature two D-I college players.

The winner tonight will face Lima (27-0) and Mr. Basketball favorite Xavier Simpson, who will play with Medina’s Jon Teske at the University of Michigan, on Saturday night. Lima defeated Lorain 46-38 at the University of Toledo on Wednesday.

“To be honest, Monday they got back to practice and got their heads refocused on the next task,” Blue Devils coach Joe Mackey said. “They’ll have plenty of time to talk about the Medina win in the offseason because we know McKinley is going to be a stiff challenge for us.

“They’re definitely enjoying the moment, the community support and all that, but we’re really focused on Canton McKinley right now.”

A 48-time regional qualifier, 23-time state qualifier and three-time state champion, McKinley has won nine of its last 10, with the loss coming 75-70 to D-II superpower St. Vincent-St. Mary. Four-fifths of the starting lineup played for Timken, which went 20-4 and lost to Medina in the district semifinals last season, before its high school was shut down in a budget-cutting move.

Headlining the Bulldogs is versatile 6-foot-5 guard LePear Toles, an ESPN three-star recruit with offers from Ohio, Kent State, Akron and Tennessee-Martin. The four-year starter has 1,291 career points and is averaging 20.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.5 steals in the postseason, highlighted by a 20-10-5-5 line against Massillon Jackson in the Canton District championship.

McKinley’s other high-profile player is Akron recruit Jordan Davis (10.4 ppg), a beefy 6-7 center with soft hands and good footwork. Davis began his career at Garfield Heights, but never appeared in a game against Brunswick.

“(Toles) really is good off the bounce,” Mackey said. “He’s really good in transition and he’s really good at getting to the basket, so we have to keep him out of the paint. He’s a tough guard for us, obviously.

“We’ve got to contain him, and they’ve got some shooters on the perimeter and the D-I kid (Davis) in the middle. It’s a tough matchup not only for us, but for every team that plays them.”

McKinley also will start 3-point threat Darryl Straughter (5-10, sr., 12.1) and X-factor T.J. Lipkins (6-1, sr., 9.8). The fifth starter likely will be Isaiah Williams (6-2, sr., 3.6) or Kynan Hall (6-2, sr., 5.3).

Coach Rick Hairston’s squad is known for tremendous full-court pressure similar to what Brunswick faced against Lorain in the Midview District semifinals last season. The Bulldogs average 69.2 points and are 11-0 when they score at least 71.

“We know they’re going to pressure us,” Mackey said. “We just have to do a good job taking care of the ball and attacking. We won’t slow the pace, but we definitely don’t want the game in the 80s or 90s. We’re going to attack when the opportunity presents itself.”

Brunswick is arguably the top 3-point team in the state, as its 263 total ranks eighth in Ohio history. The Blue Devils have won 14 of their last 15 games, including twice over archrival Medina and the 7-1 Teske.

Brunswick will start Kyle Goessler (5-10, fr., 5.6 ppg), Zach Cebula (6-2, sr., 11.7, 64-of-158 3-pointers, 44-of-49 free throws), Aaron Badowski (6-6, sr., 8.8, 5.4 rpg, 47-of-106 threes), Kevin Simmons (6-1, sr., 15.5, 4.0 rpg, 3.1 apg) and Michael Quiring (5-10, sr., 14.1, 3.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 57-of-146 threes).

“It’s important for our guys that you’ve got to enjoy the process,” Mackey said. “You can’t have guys not enjoy the week, but I’ve been really impressed with how they’ve focused all week long following the script and the game plan. I’m interested to see how we come out (tonight).”

AKRON — Two more minutes. Maybe 30 seconds.

The time ultimately needed to complete a miracle was debatable. A lifetime of what-ifs is not.

The Brunswick boys basketball team left its collective heart on the James A. Rhodes Arena floor Thursday night against Canton McKinley in the University of Akron Division I Regional semifinals.

Given no chance early in the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils embarked on a last-ditch rally that was oh-so-close.
Alas, Brunswick ran out of time and lost 72-65.

The Bullodgs (22-5) advanced to play undefeated Lima (27-0) on Saturday, but only after the Blue Devils (21-5) whittled a 21-point deficit to six and missed a good look at a 3-pointer that would have made it a three-point game.

“I’d give anything to play just 30 more seconds on that court,” Brunswick point guard Michael Quiring said. “It’s a great venue and it’s a great experience.

“You never know. A minute or two more (and maybe we come back), but too bad it doesn’t happen in basketball. It’s too bad.”

Facing full-court pressure all night, Quiring was Brunswick’s top player with 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Kevin Simmons scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter, while Kyle Goessler (6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals) and Aaron Badowski (6, 4 rebounds, 2 charges taken) also contributed.

McKinley got 19 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals and seven turnovers from versatile 6-foot-5 senior LePear Toles. Beefy 6-7 Akron recruit Jordan Davis scored 11 of his 17 points in the first quarter, 5-10 guard Darryl Straughter added eight points, seven boards and four assists and sixth man Kynan Hall (13 points, 11 in second half) scored six key points in crunch time to keep the Blue Devils at bay.

Brunswick trailed 61-40 with 5:01 left and a few fans trickled toward the exits. Simmons then morphed into a high-flying superguard determined to get to the rack — he made 10-of-11 free throws in the fourth — and Badowski made a 3-pointer to pull the Blue Devils to single digits with 2:40 to play.

The game became crazier, as Quiring was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three foul shots to bring the score to 69-63 with 19.5 seconds to go. Goessler got a steal almost immediately, but Quiring’s good look at another three went begging.

Brunswick made the score 70-65 on an acrobatic putback by senior Ryan Flynn with 6.4 seconds left, but Straughter cashed in two free throws to seal the game.

“It kind of shows the heart of this team,” Blue Devils coach Joe Mackey said. “We’ve been down all season long and found ways to get back in games.”

Davis was a manchild inside, teaming with Toles to score 16 of McKinley’s 20 first-period points. The beginning of the second quarter was the unraveling for Brunswick, which gave up a 13-0 run, didn’t score until Zach Cebula hit a 3-pointer with 2:15 remaining before halftime and shot 1-for-9 (1-for-8 threes).

The Bulldogs made 13 of their first 16 shots and 17-of-27 in the half.

Rebounding was an issue, too, as the Blue Devils didn’t grab their first until 2:48 was left in the opening period and their second until 4:39 to go in the half. They were being outrebounded 16-4 at half en route to a 34-21 deficit overall.

“Give credit to them,” Quiring said. “They made a lot of shots (29-for-54 overall). That big guy (Davis), he was killing us down low, so we had to choose one or the other (Toles).”

Brunswick, which made 9-of-37 3-pointers and 8-of-15 two-pointers, also couldn’t take full advantage of McKinley not playing intelligently with a big lead and switching to a 3-2 zone. The Blue Devils were 5-for-15 from the floor and 1-for-8 from 3-point range in the third quarter, which ended with them trailing 50-32.

Though Brunswick scored a whopping 33 points in the fourth — the second most in school history — and proved its character for the umpteenth time, there wasn’t quite enough magic flowing through the 5,500-seat arena.

“We just played a bad first half,” Mackey said. “When you’re playing in the Sweet 16 against Canton McKinley, you really can’t have a bad quarter, little alone a bad half.”

McKinley 72, Brunswick 65
University of Akron Division I Regional Semifinal
BRUNSWICK 15 6 11 33 — 65
MCKINLEY 20 18 12 22 — 72
Brunswick — Kyle Goessler 2-5 0-0 6, Zach Cebula 2-9 0-0 5, Aaron Badowski 2-4 0-0 6, Kevin Simmons 3-13 17-19 23, Michael Quiring 6-16 4-5 19, Keith Simmons 0-1 0-0 0, Zak Zografos 0-0 0-0 0, Austin Mick 1-2 1-2 4, Josh Herron 0-0 0-0 0, Ryan Flynn 1-2 0-0 2, Tyler Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Chad Kaiser 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17-52 22-26 65.
McKinley — LePear Toles 6-11 3-5 19, Isaiah Williams 2-3 0-0 4, Jordan Davis 8-10 1-2 17, Trajen Wood 0-2 2-2 2, Darryl Straughter 3-9 2-3 8, Kynan Hall 6-9 1-2 13, Javon Stovall 1-1 0-0 2, Josh Ogletree 0-2 0-0 0, Dominique Robinson 1-3 0-0 2, Charles Hall 1-2 0-0 2, Andre Leavell 1-1 0-0 3, Isaiah Smith 0-1 0-0 0, Kwausy Toles 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 29-54 9-12 72.
3-point goals — Brunswick 9-37 (Quiring 3-11, Badowski 2-4, Goessler 2-5, Mick 1-2, Cebula 1-7, Kei. Simmons 0-1, Flynn 0-1, Kev. Simmons 0-6), McKinley 5-13 (L. Toles 4-6, Leavell 1-1, Williams 0-1, Wood 0-1, Straughter 0-4). Fouled out — Quiring, Kev. Simmons. Rebounds — Brunswick 21 (Quiring, Badowski 4), McKinley 34 (Straughter, L. Toles 7). Assists — Brunswick 7 (Quiring 3), McKinley 19 (L. Toles 9). Turnovers — Brunswick 10 (Quiring, Goessler, Badowski 3), McKinley 15 (L. Toles 7). Fouls — Brunswick 16, McKinley 23. Records — Brunswick (21-5), McKinley (22-5).

COLUMBUS — Among all the well-wishers who have given words of encouragement to the Wadsworth girls basketball team over the last six days, one stood out: Kate (Lyren) Sondles.

That’s the same Kate Lyren who in 1997 made the game-winning layup as time expired against Mason to give the Grizzlies their lone Division I state championship. Her postcard was double-sided, kind-hearted, inspiring and with great merit.

ASHLEY FOX / GAZETTE 1500 students from Wadsworth High School packed into the gym on Thursday, sending off the girls’ basketball team. The Lady Grizzlies will play the Reynoldsburg Raiders at 6 p.m. Friday, at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

“That was awesome,” D-I co-Player of the Year Jodi Johnson said. “She’s been in our shoes before. She’s been in a state champion’s shoes, too, so it was definitely a big motivation for us.”

The current Wadsworth team is itching for a chance at history. The Grizzlies had a pep rally Thursday morning and visited the city’s elementary schools before they headed to Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware for a 1 p.m. practice. They then reached Columbus, where they checked into their hotel, had a team dinner and watched lower-division semifinals.

Wadsworth (26-1), which was No. 20 in the USA Today national rankings this week, will take to the Value City Arena court and battle Reynoldsburg (23-5) in the D-I semifinals tonight at 6. The winner gets Mason (25-2) or Solon (19-8) at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

The buzz in southeastern Medina County has been electric, as Wadsworth faithful purchased a state-record number of presale tickets. The Sea of Red will be out in force tonight.

“It’s been very noticeable that the community has been excited,” coach Andrew Booth said. “The school is alive. It’s hard to remember 10 years ago (when Wadsworth last made the state semis), but I don’t remember this much hype going around. It’s just been great. The kids have been soaking it in.”

Reynoldsburg coach Jack Purtell has a Medina County connection, as his father, also named Jack, was Black River football coach from 1960-62. The Raiders’ other area link is a 67-48 loss to Solon at The Classic in the Country Challenge on Jan. 17. Wadsworth defeated Solon 68-46 on Feb. 3.

The Grizzlies are taking a grounded approach and not giving Reynoldsburg’s loss to Solon any merit. While the Raiders are ahead of schedule, so to speak, with no seniors and six sophomores or freshmen in their rotation, they can be devastating defensively with a blend of size and speed.

The biggest name in stature is 6-foot-3 sophomore Jalynda Salley (12.0 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.3 bpg, .536 fg, .403 ft), the most physically imposing player Wadsworth will face this season. The biggest backcourt threat is 5-9 sophomore Newark transfer Adrian Crockwell (11.6 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.9 spg, 52-of-192 3-pointers), a fellow ESPN three-star recruit and highlight-reel dribbler who can create her own shot with ease.

Another 3-point threat, Brooklyn Pannell (5-8, jr.), is averaging a team-best 14.5 points in the postseason, while Hannah Haskins (5-7, jr., 7.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Mackenzie Davis (5-6, so., 3.9 ppg, 3.7 apg) also are slated to start. Oju Ezeudu (6-0, fr., 5.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg) helps keep Salley fresh.

“They’re extremely aggressive defensively, and usually any mistake you make, they’re going to turn it into points — and they’re usually points you don’t have any time to defend because it will be a breakout,” Booth said. “That’s going to obviously be something we focus on. Secondly, they’re not the biggest besides Salley, but they all go to the boards hard.”

As Booth alluded to, Reynoldsburg, which shoots .506 at the foul line compared to .734 for the Grizzlies, relies heavily on aggressive pressure that often remains trapping in the half court. This will be an adjustment for the Grizzlies, who haven’t seen much full-court defense in first quarters all season.

That said, Wadsworth has had success in those situations — mostly when the opposition is desperately behind in the second half — and is looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s their speed and their ability to put pressure on us to try and force us to turn over the ball,” Johnson said. “We haven’t been really in those situations where we’ve had a lot of quick players on the floor who were able to pressure us. It’s definitely going to be a test.”

While current Grizzlies players have never taken competed at this stage, assistant coaches Jen (Uhl) Martin and Lindsay Tenyak were on the 2006 team that fell to Solon. The coaching staff also remains intact.

Booth didn’t worry about giving his team an in-depth scouting report on the atmosphere. He likes the focus in his players’ eyes and is confident they will not be overwhelmed by the 19,049-seat arena and deep shooting backgrounds.

This team is ready for the spotlight and plans to cap what Johnson called “a crazy week” with a state championship.

“It’s been a very neat experience so far,” Booth said. “Hopefully we can continue it.”

COLUMBUS — One. More. Game.

The Wadsworth girls basketball team has become really, really good, really, really quickly at this ol’ sprint-to-center-court, scream-and-hug routine.

Wadsworth’s Jodi Johnson celebrates a 58-48 victory over Reynoldsburg to advance to the state championship game. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

To be fair, reaching the Division I state championship game is a justifiable reason for 15 teenage girls to lose their minds in excitement.

The Grizzlies needed every ounce of their sweat and tears — and in Sophia Fortner’s case, a welt on her face — as they rallied in the second half, played a near-textbook fourth quarter and eliminated Reynoldsburg 58-48.

Wadsworth (27-1), which broke the Medina County record for wins in a season, will play Mason (26-2), which dispatched Solon 48-31, in a 1997 title game rematch.

As Grizzly fans remember so vividly, that one ended on a buzzer-beating layup by Kate Lyren. The current players are hoping for a similar storybook ending tonight.

“Coming down here, we’re just here for a business trip,” superstar Jodi Johnson said. “We’re definitely looking for that main goal in the end — a state championship.”

Wadsworth scored 19 of the game’s final 24 points, and that’s including a baseline jumper by the Raiders’ Brooklyn Pannell (19 points, 7-of-12 shooting) with one second left.

The Grizzlies trailed by as many as eight points, but their execution was championship caliber after Peyton Banks gave them the lead for good with 5:19 to play and first-team All-Ohioan Johnson on the bench with four fouls.

Johnson made 14-of-16 free throws and 9-of-10 in the fourth quarter — the Ashland recruit is 43-for-48 (.896) in the postseason — to finish with a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Centers Banks (8 points, 3 rebounds) and Lexi Lance (8, 8) combined for 16 points and 11 boards, Sophia Fortner had nine points, four assists and just two turnovers and forwards Laurel Palitto (game-high 5 assists) and Jenna Johnson (6 points, 5 rebounds) also contributed.

“Everybody’s got a role on this team, and that’s the beauty of this team,” coach Andrew Booth said.

Reynoldsburg (23-6) saw strong-like-bull 6-foot-3 center Jalynda Salley (5 points, 4 rebounds) play only 11 minutes because of foul trouble. Pannell (16 points in first half) and freshman backup center Uju Ezeudu (8 points, 11 rebounds) picked up the slack, while flashy point guard Adrian Crockwell (8, 5 assists) controlled pace but shot 3-for-14.

From the 6:53 mark of the fourth quarter to Pannell’s last-second shot, the Raiders missed six straight field goal attempts and made only 3-of-6 free throws.

“We weren’t letting them in the paint as much as we were in the first half, definitely,” Jodi Johnson said. “Coach Booth told us to get into the gaps. That’s what we did, and that limited some of their drives to the hoop. That’s basically it.”

Wadsworth trailed 43-39 when Ezeudu scored inside, but Forter responded with a corner 3-pointer in front of her bench. Jodi Johnson then snapped a personal 11:52 field goal drought to give the Grizzlies the lead, but Reynoldsburg tied the game at 44 on a Salley free throw.

The game changed for good moving forward, as Banks stepped into a wide-open 17-footer and rattled it in a mere 13 seconds later. Banks then threw her body into Salley, drew a foul and made two free throws to move Wadsworth ahead 48-44.

“We needed a spark in the game,” Banks said. “When Jodi went out, someone has to step up and the whole team has to step up.”

“We finally got (Johnson) out of there so we could do something,” Booth deadpanned.

Johnson sparkled from there, grabbing three rebounds and making 8-of-8 free throws as the engaged, ginormous and proud Wadsworth student section chanted “M-V-P, M-V-P.” Jenna Johnson then put the finishing touches on a grueling victory with a transition layup off a pass from Palitto.

Game. Over.

“The heart of this team is amazing,” Fortner said. “To look in the girls’ eyes, you can tell we all wanted it. At this point in the season, most of the teams, their skill level is the same.

“You go out on that floor and both teams are equally nervous. It’s a big game. It’s whoever wants it more, whoever can lock down defensively and stay focused the whole game. It’s all right inside here (pointing to her heart).”

Following a similar script to its regional championship victory over Toledo Whitmer, Wadsworth got a bunch of good looks in the first quarter but couldn’t convert, shooting 3-for-15 while falling behind 19-11. Pannell was a huge factor, hitting 4-of-5 shots, including two threes.

The Grizzlies then managed the game for the next two quarters, getting key buckets from Palitto, the Johnson twins and Banks. The problem was Wadsworth could neither string together mini-runs nor fluster Crockwell, who showed off all the shot-creating skills that make her an ESPN three-star recruit.

The Grizzlies also survived a little scare when Fortner got a strip in front of press row, got kicked above her right eye while on the ground and was stunningly called for traveling.

The tide showed signs of turning in the third quarter, when Reynoldsburg came back to earth shooting-wise and made only 4-for-14. While Wadsworth only won the period 11-10, it trailed 41-38 entering the fourth because of its defense and because Lance came alive with six key points.

“They didn’t sub as much as we did,” Booth said. “Maybe that had an affect, too. Their shots were a little off because maybe — maybe — they were a little bit tired.”

The Grizzlies were on the edge of igniting the game-deciding run when Jodi Johnson had a free throw and Lance had a powerful inside layup attempt that somehow spun out. Ezeudu scored at the other end.

Once Fortner sent the Wadsworth faithful roaring with her 3-pointer, however, it was game on. Once Johnson starting stepping to the foul line, it was game over.

All that remained was for Olivia Chaney to show off her jumping-jack volleyball skills and leap into Jodi Johnson’s arms at — where else? — the star representing Wadsworth on the Ohio map at center court.

“We came down here for one goal,” Banks said, “and we’re going to get it.”

Wadsworth 58, Reynoldsburg 48
Division I State Semifinal
REYNOLDSBURG 19 12 10 7 — 48
WADSWORTH 11 16 11 20 — 58
Reynoldsburg — Brooklyn Pannell 7-12 3-4 19, Hannah Gaskins 0-5 1-2 1, Jalynda Salley 2-4 1-2 5, Mackenzie Davis 1-3 0-0 2, Adrian Crockwell 3-14 1-2 8, Uju Ezeudu 3-6 2-2 8, Bre Johnson 2-2 0-1 5. TOTALS: 18-46 8-13 48.
Wadsworth — Laurel Palitto 1-2 0-0 3, Jenna Johnson 3-5 0-0 6, Lexi Lance 4-10 0-0 8, Jodi Johnson 5-14 14-16 24, Sophia Fortner 2-6 4-6 9, Peyton Banks 3-7 2-2 8, Olivia Chaney 0-1 0-0 0, McKenna Banks 0-0 0-0 0, Maddie Movsesian 0-1 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18-46 20-24 58.
3-point goals — Reynoldsburg 4-14 (Pannell 2-4, Johnson 1-1, Crockwell 1-7, Gaskins 0-1, Davis 0-1), Wadsworth 2-8 (Palitto 1-2, Fortner 1-3, Jo. Johnson 0-1, P. Banks 0-2). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — Reynoldsburg 23 (Ezeudu 11), Wadsworth 38 (Jo. Johnson 9). Assists — Reynoldsburg 8 (Crockwell 4), Wadsworth 11 (Palitto 5). Turnovers — Reynoldsburg 12 (Davis 5), Wadsworth 12 (Chaney 3). Fouls — Reynoldsburg 18, Wadsworth 14. Records — Reynoldsburg (23-6), Wadsworth (27-1).

COLUMBUS — Sophia Fortner took the inbounds pass from Laurel Palitto with five seconds left Saturday night, standing alone and holding the ball as the Wadsworth faithful let out a deafening roar that permeated throughout Value City Arena.

Wadsworth’s Sophia Fortner drives past Mason’s Allie Reichert during the first quarter. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

The crowd counted down the final seconds — four, three, two, one — and Fortner threw the ball high into the air.

Let the celebration begin, the tears flow and the memories last forever.

Final score: Wadsworth 60, Mason 51. The Grizzlies are the Division I state champions after answering destiny’s call.

“State champions, baby,” senior Jodi Johnson said. “Awesome. A dream come true.”

Considered by many observers the underdog despite their No. 1 ranking in the final Associated Press state poll, the Grizzlies (28-1) got off to an emotionally charged start, scoring the first 10 points and 16 of the first 19.

The initially shell-shocked Comets (26-3) made a desperate charge behind 6-foot-3 Marquette recruit Lauren Van Kleunen (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Arkansas point guard recruit Jailyn Mason (10 second-half points, 3 assists). What once was a 16-point lead at halftime had evaporated to three with 2:14 to go.

Like they did all season, Johnson (28 points, 12 in fourth quarter) and Sophia Fortner (6, 5 assists, 3 steals, 8 turnovers) found the extra drive that legends are made of. The stars combined to make 6-of-6 free throws over the final 1:39, with the raucous student section again belting “M-V-P, M-V-P” whenever Johnson squared up.

“The Johnson girl was a stud out there,” Mason coach Rob Matula said. “She was the (D-I co-)player of the year and she showed it. That’s a senior going and getting it.”

Mason missed all five shots attempts over the final 2:14 as Wadsworth scored seven of the final eight points.

“In this type of environment, a state championship game, everyone’s out for blood,” Johnson said. “They were definitely going to play their hearts out until the end. We just had to stay aggressive, and that’s what we did in order to get the win.”

In what amounted to a stunning role reversal from the Comets’ 41-30 victory at the Classic in the Country Challenge on Jan. 17, the Grizzlies got off a start even they couldn’t have imagined.

Center Lexi Lance started the mind-blowing first four minutes by tapping the opening tip forward to Palitto, who quickly fired to a streaking Johnson for a layup six seconds in. Mason then caught everyone off-guard with a man defense — not the aggressive matchup 2-3 zone it rode all season — and Wadsworth promptly picked it apart.

With Wadsworth stringing stops into efficient offense, Lance scored inside and Palitto made an in-rhythm 3-pointer to make the score 7-0. Johnson followed with a three-point play at the 4:26 mark and Wadsworth was officially on fire, as Jenna Johnson squeezed in a baseline layup, McKenna Banks buried a 15-footer and Jodi Johnson made two more free throws.

The quarter ended 16-6, the Comets were forced to switch to their 2-3 and star point guard Mason sat the final 6:50 of the half in foul trouble, but the Grizzlies kept attacking. Peyton Banks (8 points) was big with four points, Jenna Johnson scored on a hotly contested cross-court drive and Palitto sent the bench into hysteria when she head-faked a defender and pulled up for a corner 3-pointer to give Wadsworth a 28-14 lead.

Not to be outdone, Jodi Johnson broke down the defense in the waning seconds, driving down the lane, absorbing contact, fading a bit to the left and kissing a banked runner with two seconds left to put Wadsworth ahead 30-14 at halftime.

At that point, the Grizzlies were living up to their state tournament T-shirts that said, “Rock the Schott.”

“Obviously we knew it wasn’t over yet,” Jodi Johnson said. “We had to execute in the second half — two more quarters, 16 more minutes — and it would be over.”

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the calming presence of Mason and the yeoman work of Van Kleunen fueled the Comets’ last stand.

Still trailing by double digits with 6:35 to play but within punching distance because Mason kept making contested pull-up jumpers, the Comets frustrated Fortner with a trapping 1-3-1 and Wadsworth made multiple costly turnovers out of a spread offense that missed open layup possibilities on multiple occasions.

Van Kleunen then went into beast mode, scoring 10 fourth-quarter points. Comets sixth man Anna Brinkmann also came alive, pumping in two layups in nine seconds to bring the score to 53-50 with 2:14 left but missing a free throw that would have made it a two-point game.

“Everything was going crazy,” Fortner said. “All of us, we just had to come together and tell ourselves, ‘We have to calm down.’”

Message received.

Though the slow-it-down offense was shaky at times, Wadsworth had been in the bonus since late in the third quarter and began drawing more fouls. Jodi Johnson split two free throws with 1:39 left — breaking a string of 15 consecutive makes — and Mason missed her patented pull-up. Wadsworth then burned 26 seconds before Fortner made two free throws.

That accounted for the Comets’ last legitimate chance at a comeback.

“I’ll tell you what,” Grizzlies coach Andrew Booth said with the Queen song “We Are the Champions” in the background. “When these kids said they were on a mission and their goal was to win the state, talk is cheap. To see the look in these kids’ eyes, you couldn’t help but believe them.”

When the final buzzer sounded, Jodi Johnson threw one hand into the air with a No. 1 flashing. When Olivia Chaney sprinted in for what has become her traditional hug, the same Johnson who was mentally locked in during crunch time was bawling her eyes out.

Everything hit Johnson emotionally in that moment.

With Palitto head-faking and hitting a pull-up 3-pointer, this was meant to be.

With McKenna Banks drilling a 15-footer off a feed from Peyton Banks, this was meant to be.

With Jenna Johnson finding a way to cash in driving shots among the green trees, this was meant to be.

With the Comets missing a ton of shots inside they normally make with ease, this was meant to be.

With Jodi Johnson at the foul line and the game in the balance — Wadsworth made 24-of-27 free throws overall and 14-of-16 in the fourth — this was meant to be.

Last but certainly not least, with late fan Zane Walker looking down from heaven, this was, without a shadow of a doubt, meant to be.

“When we visited Zane in the hospital — Coach Walker — he was like, ‘Go win that state title for me,”’ Jodi Johnson said. “We knew we had to do this for him, our community and our team.”

During the Mason postgame medal ceremony, Palitto had to catch herself from hyperventilating and her legs from shaking uncontrollably. Walker’s embroidered chair sat on the floor only a few feet away.

Finally, Palitto and the Johnson twins got their hands on what the Grizzlies have yearned for so passionately: The trophy that will keep the 1997 one company forever.

Put it in ink: The Grizzlies are the state champions.

“We did it,” Palitto said. “Holy crap, we did it.

“I looked at the crowd, I looked at my family, I looked at my teammates and it just got real really fast. I didn’t expect it to hit me like a brick wall. It’s a great feeling. It’s definitely up there on my list of memorable days and memorable moments.”

Wadsworth 60, Mason 51
Division I State Championship
MASON 6 8 16 21 — 51
WADSWORTH 16 14 7 23 — 60
Mason — Samari Mowbray 3-9 1-3 7, Lauren Van Kleunen 6-14 3-5 15, Mariah Campbell 1-2 0-0 2, Sammie Puisis 1-3 2-3 5, Jailyn Mason 4-11 2-2 10, Anna Brinkmann 3-4 3-5 9, Allie Reicher 0-1 3-5 3. TOTALS: 18-44 14-23 51.
Wadsworth — Laurel Palitto 2-6 0-0 6, Jenna Johnson 2-2 1-2 5, Lexi Lance 1-3 3-4 5, Jodi Johnson 8-12 10-11 28, Sophia Fortner 0-2 6-6 6, Olivia Chaney 0-0 0-0 0, McKenna Banks 1-1 0-0 2, Peyton Banks 2-4 4-4 8, Maddie Movsesian 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 16-30 24-27 60.
3-point goals — Mason 1-12 (Puisis 1-2, Reichert 0-1, Campbell 0-1, Mowbray 0-2, Mason 0-2, Van Kleunen 0-4), Wadsworth 4-9 (Jo. Johnson 2-3, Palitto 2-5, Fortner 0-1). Fouled out — Mason. Rebounds — Mason 25 (Van Kleunen 12), Wadsworth 20 16 (Je. Johnson 5). Assists — Mason 10 (Mason, Puisis 3), Wadsworth 9 (Fortner 5). Turnovers — Mason 12 (Mason, Puisis 3), Wadsworth 16 (Fortner 8). Fouls — Mason 21, Wadsworth 20. Records — Mason (26-3), Wadsworth (28-1).

MEDINA — Tom Harrington will have the opportunity to coach his current and former players a final time.

Harrington recently completed his first season as coach of the Buckeye boys basketball team, but for years he was Joe Mackey’s lead assistant at Brunswick.

Tom Harrington

The schools will combine with Black River tonight to make up a team at the “Hoopla!” Medina County Senior All-Star Game and will be opposed by old Suburban League rivals Cloverleaf, Highland and Wadsworth as well as Medina.

The doors to Medina’s Richard H. Clevidence Gymnasium will open at 6 o’clock tonight. The girls 3-point shooting contest and game will begin the 27th annual event, followed by the boys version.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association sent out a memo earlier in the season to point out a longstanding state rule that permitted only three players per school in an all-star game had been abolished. “Hoopla” officials decided to move forward with a limit of four players per school.

Composing Harrington’s team will be Black River’s Allan Benson, Derek Hawley and Brandon Heath; Brunswick’s Michael Quiring, Zach Cebula, Kevin Simmons and Aaron Badowski; and Buckeye’s Nathan Polidori, Liam Murray, Nick Wills and Justin Lowry.

Opposing them will be Highland coach Adam Cestaro’s unit of the Hornets’ Joe Wiencek, Isaac Matejin, Brandon Shaw and Collin Levandowski; Cloverleaf’s Timmy Schuerger, Michael Martin, Levi Grimm and Jeff Gilbert; Medina’s Jimmy Clark and Matthew McNaughton; and Wadsworth’s Alec Booth, Kyle Larj, Connor Montgomery and Daniel Weinerman.

The 3-point contest should be a dandy, as Cebula, Benson, Schuerger and Medina junior Jackson Sartain will compete. The quartet combined for an eye-popping 235 threes this season.

The girls game will have an unusual feel, as Division I state champion Wadsworth will not be represented. The Grizzlies have their season-ending banquet tonight, meaning first-team All-Ohioan Jodi Johnson, Jenna Johnson and Laurel Palitto will not be in attendance.

Medina coach Karen Kase will pilot the Patriot Athletic Conference/Greater Cleveland Conference team of the Bees’ Jessie Holzman and Margaret Swiecicki; Brunswick’s Farrah Benner, Danielle Razzante and Jessica Skrzypek; and Buckeye’s Kayla Glancy, Sam Hritz and Morgan Hama. Black River did not have any seniors this season, while Medina’s Clover Kaple is recovering from ACL surgery.

Opposing them will be Highland coach Mike Moser’s contingent of Cloverleaf’s Kassandra Kemp, Kayla Wilson, Erian Hamilton and Anna Winnicki and the Hornets’ Madison Less, Kathleen Kirchner, Sam Catron and Alli Esker. The Colts’ Lexi Civittolo chose not to play, while Highland’s Marlee Profitt is recovering from ACL surgery.

The 3-point contest will feature Cloverleaf’s Jillian Miglich, Benner, Glancy and Medina’s Delaney Cullen.

Brunswick’s Farrah Benner scores past Highland’s Kathleen Kirchner during the Hoopla All-Star game. Benner was the MVP of the game. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

MEDINA — I scream, you scream, we all scream for (Farrah to get) ice cream.

Tuesday was a good night to be Brunswick small forward Farrah Benner. The Lake Erie signee won the 3-point contest, then pumped in 23 points to lead the Light team (Buckeye/Brunswick/Medina) past the Dark team (Cloverleaf/Highland) 45-34 in the “Hoopla” Medina County Senior All-Star Game.

The only problem for the MVP was the icing on the cake — bad cliché intended — didn’t happen, as Medina coach Karen Kase promised to buy ice cream if Benner made a reverse layup.

Benner tried multiple times, but ultimately gave up after getting fouled by Highland’s Alli Esker in the third quarter. The 5-foot-9 Benner turned to Kase, smiled broadly and yelled, “I’m not doing that anymore.”

She was having a blast, anyway.

“I kind of just enjoyed myself and had fun,” Benner said. “I know the girls from AAU. They’re Medina rivals, but I’m friends with them. We were all having a good time.”

Benner had a perfect fourth rack to outlast Medina junior Delaney Cullen 17-14 in the finals of the 3-point contest. It turned out Benner simply was warming up for the real show.

The right-hander was scorching, netting the game’s first 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting and prompting Buckeye guard Nathan Polidori, who was sitting in the stands, to ask aloud if Benner was going to UConn.

Benner made 9-of-18 field goals, 3-of-7 3-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws to go along with five rebounds and a game-high eight steals, while Buckeye post Sam Hritz added 12 points and 18 rebounds.

Buckeye’s Samantha Hritz goes up for a shot past Cloverleaf’s Kassandra Kemp during the Hoopla All-Star game. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)

The five-player Light team preferred volume shooting over quality shooting (17-for-58 field goals, 3-for-21 3-pointers), using Benner’s scintillating start to lead 16-6 after one quarter and never looking back.

“I was just like, ‘Well, this is not a serious game. It’s fun,’” Benner said. “I wanted to shoot the ball and have fun.”

Another key to the Light team victory was “coaching” from Medina guard Clover Kaple. The Hiram recruit was unable to play after having ACL reconstruction surgery late in the season, but was in her element — knee brace and all — barking out instructions and encouragement from the bench.

Kaple was particularly rough on Bees teammates Jessie Holzman and Margaret Swiecicki, and even “threatened” to yank Holzman in the fourth quarter. This, of course, was hilarious since the Light team had exactly zero substitutes.

Kaple even called a timeout — she would have two minutes prior but was laughing uncontrollably — although her reasoning of “we were getting pretty tired” was sketchy at best because the Light team was leading comfortably and Brunswick Rotary officials had shortened the quarters to five minutes.

Sensing that coaching may be in her future, Kaple didn’t break stride afterward.

“We just had a lot of fun out there, and they really put forth a great effort,” a super-duper sarcastic Kaple said while trying super-duper hard not to giggle. “I couldn’t be prouder. I knew I had it in me. It was a fun time.

“I knew I had to do it for the girls. They really expected a lot out of me, and I just had to put forth that effort.”

The Dark team committed 16 turnovers but kept within striking distance after the slow start.

Highland center Esker had a season-best performance of 14 points and four blocks, while Cloverleaf’s Kassandra Kemp and the Hornets’ Kathleen Kirchner added nine and eight points, respectively. The only scoreless player in the game, the Colts’ Erian Hamilton, wowed the crowd with hustle as well as team highs of seven rebounds and three assists.

But for all the Dark team’s efforts, it still couldn’t stop Benner and Kaple, the most dynamic player-coach duo — well, maybe not, but definitely the most unique — in “Hoopla” history.

“(Kaple) was excellent,” Benner quipped. “Probably by far my favorite coach.”

Light 45, Dark 34
DARK 6 6 10 12 — 34
LIGHT 16 4 13 12 — 45
Dark — Kayla Wilson (C) 1-3 0-0 2, Kassandra Kemp (C) 4-6 0-0 9, Alli Esker (H) 4-10 5-7 14, Kathleen Kirchner (H) 3-10 0-2 8, Erian Hamilton (C) 0-2 0-0 0, Madison Less (H) 0-8 1-2 1. TOTALS: 12-39 6-11 34.
Light — Margaret Swiecicki (M) 1-8 2-2 4, Jessie Holzman (M) 2-9 0-0 4, Sam Hritz (Buc) 4-12 4-5 12, Farrah Benner (Bru) 9-18 2-2 23, Kayla Glancy (Buc) 1-11 0-0 2. TOTALS: 17-58 8-9 45.
3-point goals — Dark 4-18 (Kirchner 2-7, Kemp 1-1, Esker 1-4, Wilson 0-1, Hamilton 0-1, Less 0-4), Light 3-21 (Benner 3-7, Holzman 0-1, Swiecicki 0-4, Glancy 0-9). Rebounds — Dark 25 (Less, Hamilton 7), Light 32 (Hritz 18). Assists — Dark 6 (Hamilton 3), Light 5 (Swiecicki, Holzman 2). Turnovers — Dark 16 (Hamilton 6), Light 7 (Benner 2). Fouls — Dark 6, Light 7. 3-point contest — Finals: Benner (Bru) 17, Delaney Cullen (M) 14. Semifinals: Benner 14, Cullen 11, Jillian Miglich (C) 9, Glancy (Buc) 8.

Jon Teske joined elite company Wednesday when the Division I All-Ohio teams were released by The Associated Press, as the 7-foot-1 Medina senior was named to the first team.

Medina’s Jon Teske goes up for a shot against Walsh Jesuit. RON SCHWANE/GAZETTE

Teske joined future University of Michigan teammate and Mr. Basketball winner Xavier Simpson of Lima Senior, Northland’s Seth Towns (Harvard), Massillon Jackson’s Kyle Young (ESPN four-star recruit), Garfield Heights’ Willie Jackson (Missouri) and Frankie Hughes (Louisville), Wilmington’s Jarron Cumberland (Cincinnati), Gahanna Lincoln’s Nick Ward (Michigan State), Pickerington Central’s Ibi Watson (Michigan) and Huber Heights Anthony Wayne’s Trey Landers (Dayton) on the top squad in the state.

“Being first-team All-Ohio is a great honor,” Teske said. “It’s a very special award, and I’m honored to be a part of it.

“For three Michigan commits to make it is awesome. It shows the talent that is going up to Ann Arbor next year.”

Teske became just the sixth player in Medina County history to earn AP first-team all-state since the awards began in 1939. Highland’s Brad Reusch (1998, D-II) was the groundbreaker, followed by Medina’s Tony Stockman (2000, D-I), Wadsworth’s Doug Bell (2002, D-I) and Ben Falkenberg (2004, D-I) and Brunswick’s Pat Forsythe (2011, D-I), who also was a Mr. Basketball finalist.

Teske, who was a special mention All-Ohioan as a junior, averaged 16.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.6 blocks for the Bees (19-7), who advanced to the Copley District championship game for the second straight season. He finished his career with 1,130 points in a county-record 97 games.

Michael Quiring, Kevin Simmons and Brunswick ended the Bees’ season. The Blue Devils, who tied a school record with 21 victories, saw Quiring and Simmons pick up honorable mention status.

Elyria’s Blake Furcron was second team, while Copley’s Larnell Nealy was third team. Stow’s Nathan Bower-Malone was special mention, while Hudson’s Zack Meder and Euclid’s Quintin Dove were honorable mention.

All-Ohio teams
COLUMBUS — The 2015-16 Associated Press Division I All-Ohio boys basketball team, based on the recommendations of a media panel:
DIVISION I
First team: Seth Towns, Columbus Northland, 6-foot-7, senior, 32.0 points per game; Kyle Young, Massillon Jackson, 6-7, jr., 20.6; JON TESKE, MEDINA, 7-1, SR., 16.9; Willie Jackson, Garfield Heights, 6-6, sr., 21.0; Xavier Simpson, Lima Senior, 6-0, sr., 30.2; Jarron Cumberland, Wilmington, 6-5, sr., 29.5; Nick Ward, Gahanna, 6-9, sr., 21.0; Ibi Watson, Pickerington Central, 6-5, sr., 19.3; Frankie Hughes, Garfield Heights, 6-4, sr., 18.0; Trey Landers, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-5, sr., 16.4.
Player of the year: Xavier Simpson, Lima Senior
Coaches of the year: Jacob Daniel of Columbus St. Charles; Quincey Simpson, Lima Senior
Second team: Andre Wesson, Westerville South, 6-7, sr., 17.5; Seth Fuller, Dublin Coffman, 6-0, sr., 18.9; Marcus Dempsey, Dresden Tri-Valley, 6-1, sr., 24.1; Mitch Peterson, Walsh Jesuit, 6-5, sr., 21.0; Blake Furcron, Elyria, 6-5, sr., 21.8; Mario Young, Mansfield Senior, 6-3, sr., 19.1; Danny Davis, Springfield, 6-3, jr., 19.5; Vincent Williams, Toledo St. John’s Jesuit, 6-4, so., 15.3; C.J. Fleming, Cincinnati LaSalle, 5-11, sr., 19.3; Sam Hickey, Toledo Whitmer, 6-3, sr., 18.0.
Third team: KeShawn Underwood, Zanesville, 6-3, jr., 12.2; Chandler Vaudrin, Uniontown Lake, 6-7, sr., 16.1; Naz Bohannon, Lorain, 6-5, jr., 17.7; Larnell Nealy, Copley, 5-8, sr., 19.0; Trevor Hafner, Perrysburg, 6-0, sr., 18.9; Kyle Lamotte, Mason, 6-3, sr., 14.8; LePear Toles, Canton McKinley, 6-5, sr., 13.9; Zach Ravine, Dover, 6-3, sr., 15.1; Drew Noble, Louisville, 6-8, sr., 20.0; Gabe Simpson, Warren G. Harding, 5-10, sr., 20.5.
Special mention: Jake McLoughlin, Dresden Tri-Valley; Aronde Myers, Zanesville; Tyler Bardall, Dover; Tyler McGee, Dresden Tri-Valley; Anthony Williams, Zanesville; Brandon Troyer, Dover; Nathan Bower-Malone, Stow; Sean Flannery, St. Edward; Deven Stover, St. Ignatius; Andy Lucien, North Olmsted; Lane Little, Logan.
Honorable mention: Mason Baich, Dublin Jerome; B.J. Duling, Newark; Mark Fair, Reynoldsburg; Onno Steger, Upper Arlington; Jalen Tate, Pickerington Central; Logan Hill, Massillon Jackson; Zack Meder, Hudson; Derek Culver, Warren G. Harding; Chris Libertore, Louisville; Raybon Lewis, Firestone; A.J. Gareri, Akron Ellet; Bryce Harvey, Copley; MICHAEL QUIRING, BRUNSWICK; KEVIN SIMMONS, BRUNSWICK; Daviere Andrews, Lorain; Kevin Meehan, Olmsted Falls; Quintin Dove, Euclid; Lamont Rhodes, Bedford; Christian Guess, Glenville; Alex Nahra, Mayfield; Jacob Wells, Midview; Marquevious Wilson, Lima Senior; Aerin West, Sylvania Northview; Montrece Collins, Toledo Whitmer; Logan Brewer, Ashland; Dalonte Brown, Toledo Bowsher; Clay Guillozet, Greenville; Frankie Hofmeyer, Cincinnati Elder; Ryan Robinson, Hamilton; L’Christian Smith, Huber Heights Wayne; Jeremy Larkin, Cincinnati LaSalle.