The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
NO. 6 NORTH RIDGEVILLE VS. NO. 2 WESTLAKE
What: Division I Elyria Catholic District semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 6 p.m.
Where: Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Rd., Elyria
Records: North Ridgeville 12-12, Westlake 20-3
On deck: The winner advances to the district final where it will face the winner of No. 5Amherst vs. No. 1Olmsted Falls
For the record: North Ridgeville rode the wave of momentum gained by defeating Max Hayes in a sectional semifinal into a sectional championship win over defending district champ Avon Lake. The dangerous trio of Leia Smith, Laney Rumancik and Daylan Baker combined for 30points in the Rangers’ win. In order to pull off a second straight upset they may need to do it again. Seconded-seeded Westlake has won 13in a row (and 15 in a row against teams from
Westlake’s Stephanie Randar, against Lorain on Feb. 20.
Ohio) led by the dynamic duo of seniors Gina Adams and Abby Carrington. The Demons seem destined for a third meeting with the team they split the Southwestern Conference title with, Olmsted Falls.
DiFranco’s pick:
Westlake
What: Division I Elyria Catholic District semifinal When: Feb. 25, 7:45 p.m. Where: Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria
Records: Amherst 13-11, Olmsted Falls 19-4
On deck: The winner advances to the district final where it will face the winner of No. 2Westlake vs. No. 6North Ridgeville.
For the record: Once again Olmsted Falls is back in the district round as the top seed, and this year the Bulldogs look determined to walk into regionals as district champions. Last season, the Bulldogs fell in the district title game to Avon Lake. The Bulldogs’ lone conference loss came on a buzzer-beater to Westlake, whom they split the conference title with. A third meeting could be in the cards, but first they have to get by a dangerous Amherst team, fresh off a mini upset win over Avon. The Comets boast one of the top defenses in the conference, led by Amaya Staton and Lexy Alston. Add in senior Faith Lewis, who is averaging over 13points a game, and Amherst should prove to be a tough out.
DiFranco’s pick:
Falls
Olmsted