The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
High school girls basketball tournament capsules
MPerezkrywany@morningjournal.com
(10) AVON LAKE VS. (6) MEDINA
What: Division I Elyria Catholic District semifinal
Where: Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Road
When: 8 p.m., Feb. 21.
Records: Avon Lake 14-9, Medina 17-8
Avon Lake’s path: Defeated Lakewood, 43-24.
Medina’s path: Defeated Valley Forge, 23-70.
Up next: The winner will play the winner of (1) Olmsted Falls and (16) Westlake in the district final.
Outlook: This is a great chance to see how the Southwestern Conference stacks up against the Greater Cleveland Conference. They are two of the best Division I conferences in the area. Medina split its season series with Solon and Brunswick. When they are clicking, the Battling Bees can go toe-to-toe with the best the SWC has to offer. However, when they aren’t in rhythm, it can be bad news for them. Avon Lake impressed with its win over Lakewood in the first round. The Shoremen finished in the middle of the pack for the SWC. Point guard Marissa Summerfield is a solid playmaker for Avon Lake, if she can find shooters such as Brynn Bondar and the team can rebound, they should put themselves in position to pull off the upset.
Perez’s pick: Medina
(4) MIDVIEW VS. (7) ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY
What: Division I, Parma Heights District semifinal
Where: Valley Forge High School, 9999 Independence Blvd.
When: 8 p.m., Feb. 21
Records: Midview 19-4, St. Joseph 12-11
Midview’s path: Defeated Amherst, 52-34.
St. Joseph’s path: Defeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 59-36.
Up next: The winner will play the winner of (3) Brunswick and (5) Medina Highland in the district final.
Outlook: Midview is in pursuit of its first district championship. Standing in the way is the defending regional finalist Jaguars. They are game above .500. However, they played one of the tougher schedules in the Cleveland area. Elyria Catholic is the only common opponent among the teams, which Midview won, 57-37 and St Joseph fell, 38-31. Aside that, the Jaguars are big and physical, especially on the wings. Power Forward Madison Roth (9.4 points per game) can stretch the floor as the inside presence, which can be problematic if she can stretch Mary Meng from the paint. Midview would be considered the favorite to win, but the Jaguars’ Cinderella run as a fifth seed in 2022 shown that they are capable of an upset.
Perez’s pick: (1) OLMSTED FALLS VS. (16) WESTLAKE
Midview
What: Division I Elyria Catholic District semifinal Where: Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Road
When: 6 p.m. on Feb. 21.
Records: Olmsted Falls 19-3, Westlake 13-10
Olmsted Falls’ path: Defeated John Marshall, 78-16.
Westlake’s path: Defeated John Hay, 47-38.
Up next: The winner will play the winner of (10) Avon Lake and (6) Medina in the district final.
Outlook: Olmsted Falls is the best team in the area and proved it all year long. Mason (23-1) is the only in-state team to defeat the Bulldogs this year. They’ve rolled through the Southwestern Conference and are favorites to win their third straight district championship. Westlake is aconsiderable underdog. But the Demons bring coach Corey Rojeck’s signature defensive intensity. If the defense can keep them in the game, Westlake may have a chance to make it interesting. That is a tall order for Westlake. Olmsted Falls has great off-ball movement with great shooters.
Perez’s pick: Olmsted
Falls (8) ROCKY RIVER VS. (11) STRONGSVILLE
What: Division I Medina District semifinal
Where: Medina High School, 777 E. Union St.
When: 8 p.m. on Feb. 21.
Records: Rocky River 185, Strongsville 10-12
Rocky River’s path: Defeated Avon, 48-40.
Strongsville’s path: Defeated Wadsworth, 42-39, in overtime.
Up next: The winner will play the winner of (2) Magnificat and (14) North Ridgeville in the district final.
Outlook: In Rocky River’s first year in Division I, the Pirates have advanced to a district semifinal. Strongsville is a perennial Division I district contender. Despite having a season under .500, the Greater Cleveland Conference schedule made the Mustangs battle-tested to outlast Wadsworth, another district finalist from 2022, in overtime. Strongsville has skilled forwards, with length. The Mustangs’ top guards, Mackenzie Schulz and Taylor Bass, stand 5-foot11. Rocky River is favored, but Strongsville has the upper-hand in experience. Everyone on Strongsville knows their roles and will be a tough opponent. Rocky River fended off Avon in a sectional final. It was a positive sign that they matched the Eagles’ intensity and handle their press. A similar effort will be needed for them to advance to the district final. The Pirates won 10 of their last 11games. St. Joseph Academy was their only loss this year to a Division I team.
Perez’s pick: Strongsville