Day 1 at the classic by Adrian Curry
Yesterday was a great day of basketball as there were some blowouts and some close games. Also in my case a pancake breakfast supporting the girls team at Westerville south. One of the best teams this season and previously undefeated tri-village was knocked off a pretty good Margaretta team in their own right. Fairmont was dominant over a good canton glenoak team that has struggled as of late with great performances from Madison Bartley and Lakota west got a good win over north canton Hoover who is currently 2nd behind Massillon Jackson in the federal league who also has a good win over McKinley. Also a breakout performance by Margo mattes of mason as mason dominated McKinley who have had a very disappointing season by their standards. This could be fort Loramie’s year to finally get over the hump and make the state tournament as they dominated a very good and talented loudonville team to kick off the classic. The last two games of the day were as advertised. Mari Bickley and Taylor Thierry led shaker heights to a surprising double digit first quarter lead over defending state champs mount notre dame. Mount notre dame then came storming back proving why they are the favorites to win the state championship again. As they got great performances as usual from kk bransford, Laila Phelia and makira cook. Laurel was not intimated as they made runs at mount notre dame but they made plays to hold off laurel and win by 5. The game of the night in my mind was Winston Salem Christian vs Hiland. Hiland always has one of the best student sections making it one of the toughest atmospheres in the state. The game lived up to the hype that it was close early on. Hiland struggled to shoot due to nerves. At one point Hiland was down 20-9. Hiland started to warm up from the field and got a three at the end of the 2nd quarter by brynn mullet that closed the deficit to 5. There were so many momentum shifts in the 3rd quarter with each team making a three and having an away from the play foul. Also there were some missed shots and turnovers. Going into the 4th it was a still a five point lead for Winston Salem. Hiland mad a run to get the game tied and then it was nip and tuck the rest of the way with Winston Salem taking a late lead and Hiland had multiple chances to tie or take the lead but fell short. The last possession to tie was a decent look for brynn mullet but just bounced off the back off the rim and Winston Salem won 44-41. More great hoops on tap featuring local teams Newark and gahanna in the nightcap with centerville.