Super Saturday part 1 by Adrian Curry
Yesterday was a great day of sports as I went and covered the tip-off of the central district tournament. It was an emotional day as new Albany’s and Delaware’s seasons came to an end in surprising fashion. Marysville came out shooting red-hot from the 3-point line early which led by 10 at the half 29-19. Then Delaware came out early in the 3rd quarter and was able to it into the lead only to see marysville go on a 10-0 run to lead at one by 14 points threatening to run away with the game. Credit Delaware for fighting back to get within 6 at the end of the 3rd quarter by playing hard and hitting some shots inside and from the perimeter. With 5 minutes left in the game it was 47-41. Delaware has several chances to get even closer but they missed out on doing so with missed shots and turnovers. Marysville took advantage of their chances and closed the game on a 13-1 run. The story of the game was turnovers and missed opportunities by both teams. Delaware didn’t hit enough threes and didn’t get shots inside. Marysville was able to do both and get transition baskets of Delaware turnovers leading to the dominating upset and a date with Hilliard bradley on Friday night. The 2nd game I saw was a physical and emotional-charged rematch between new Albany and Olentangy Berlin. These two teams played in December with new Albany winning 45-44 at Olentangy Berlin but the 4th quarter belonged to Berlin and you felt if they had played better would have won going away. The game started with a feeling out process by both teams. There was a lot of missed shots and turnovers early by both teams. The game went back and forth early but as the first half ended Berlin started to seize control and took a 4-point lead to the locker room thanks to a last-second buzzer beater. Berlin continued their momentum from late in the first half with 8-2 run early in the 3rd quarter by going inside and get key baskets leading to a quick new Albany timeout. The momentum the rest of the quarter would be go back and forth with Berlin holding a slim lead going into the 4th quarter. New Albany continued their great play from the 3rd quarter but give Berlin credit when they needed to make clutch buckets to hold off new Albany. A key sequence which decided the game was a possession where new Albany was fouled and going to the line was Brooklyn gammon for two and she missed both then at the other end Deanara mbouge scored a layup to push the lead to 4 and Berlin never looked back as they were able to get their first-ever tournament win by knocking off new Albany 48-40. This is a program-defining win especially with all of the injuries they have suffered including to Star senior Jessica nation in the offseason. With the win Berlin will be taking on Watkins memorial on Friday night. Two great games with the underdog winning the game. There could be more upsets to come down the line.