The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Bulldogs take district title in win over Eagles
It wasn’t the prettiest form of the sport, but the result was a thing of pure, unadulterated beauty for the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs.
Nobody scored in double figures, Olmsted Falls flirted with disaster by missing crucial free throws in the closing minute; it stuggled with turnovers and didn’t exactly burn the nets up but it still did enough to pull out a 35-32 win over Southwestern Conference-rival Avon in the Division 1, District 5 district final at Olmsted Falls.
Avon had a chance to tie on its last possession but missed a layup attempt and Olmsted Falls rebounded the ball and the clock ran out as the Bulldog bench flooded the floor and created a mosh pit with their teammates on the floor.
Olmsted Falls clamped on defense in the fourth quarter, not allowing the Eagles to score in a six-minute stretch. It was the third time this season Olmsted Falls has beaten the Eagles, having won the earlier contests 42-36 and 55-35.
Olmsted Falls improved to 19-2 with the win while Avon fell to 15-6.
Olmsted Falls trailed 10-8 after one quarter but took a 1815 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Bulldogs stretched their lead to six at 25-19 in the third quarter.
Avon tied it at 31 on an offensive rebound bucket by Alyssa McClellon.
But Allison Mulligan would answer with a 3-pointer to give the Bulldogs a 34-31 lead and would turn out to be their first district title since 2017.
Olmsted Falls had to beat Avon three times and Avon Lake three times to get out of the district. An old adage in basketball is that it’s hard to a beat a team three times in once season. This edition of Olmsted Falls did that trick twice, which didn’t go over the head of its coach Jordan Eaton.
“I don’t think anybody understands how hard it is to beat good teams three times in a year. It almost never happens and they just did it against Avon Lake and Avon and that is a testament to the effort and all the hard work,” said Eaton of his team. Which he added is selfless group.
Sophomore guard Paige Kohler scored nine points to lead Olmsted Falls. Mia Kalich added eight and Allison Mulligan scored seven for the Bulldogs.
Kohler, who rebounded well and also served as the team most consistent playmaker at the offensive end, was happy her senior teammates could enjoy a district title.
“It’s really exciting but also a little emotional. It’s only my second year with these seniors, but I know they hadn’t been able to win it here,” said Kohler.
A gritty defensive effort was the key in the win, said Kohler, who scored 30 in an earlier win over Avon.
“We were able to get stops and held them without scoring for six minutes in the last quarter, which really helpep,” said Kohler.
Avon was led by Junior guard Abby Libber and senior Catie Geiger who scored nine each. Geiger did foul out.
When asked if she would describe the loss as bitter Avon coach Meghan Larrick was quick with the response.
“Absolutely. They are a great basketball team and as I’ve said they are very well coached. They have so many threats offensively, they are aggressive, the play physical from start to finish. We gave it our all. We just weren’t able to make some simple shots that cost us and few big rebounds at the end cost us, but I can’t discredit my girls’ effort. They gave it their all and obviously it’s not the outcome we wanted but I’m so proud of them and so proud to be the coach of the Lady Eagles,” said Larrick.