The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
High school girls basketball tournament capsule
NORTH VS. MAGNIFICAT
What: Division I regional semifinal When: 6:15 p.m., March 3 Where: Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N, Canton Records: North 22-3, Magnificat 19-6 On deck: Winner advances to the regional final against Canton GlenOak or StowMunroe Falls at 7:30 p.m. on March 6 North’s path: Defeated South, 83-42; def. Mentor, 66-48; def. Brush, 73-54. Magnificat’s path: Defeated Lakewood, 49-39; def. St. Joseph Academy, 42-32; def. Solon, 60-44. For the record: The Rangers are back in the regional tournament, where a year ago they lost in the regional final. North has won nine in a row since losing to Kettering Fairmont in the Classic in the Country. North’s only losses are to Fairmont, Canton McKinley and Canton GlenOak, which is in the other half of the regional bracket at the Civic Center . ... The Rangers are led by senior Cleveland State signee Destiny Leo (24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds), Abby Carter (13.2points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists) and Avril Drew (11.7points). In a district championship win over Brush, the Rangers used a 16-0second-half run to distance themselves from the young Arcs. Leo is the unquestioned leader, but more than scoring she tends to draw defenders and then kicks the ball to open teammates. Those players will need to make shots for North to advance, much like they did in the Brush game. ... Magnificat lost its last two games of the regular season, by 29to Cornerstone and by five to Villa Maria (Pa.). They play a high-paced type of game with defensive pressure. Junior Clare Chambers (12.0 points) is the team leader. Senior Brenna Varga is an active player who can hit the 3, too. Cameron Jones, Mollie LaSpisa and Ailish Chambers are also capable of big games. ... North will have to take care of the ball and control the boards. Magnificat has the advantage in depth, but North has two D-I college recruits (Leo and Carter), as well as regional experience. Kampf’s pick: North
PERRY VS. WEST BRANCH
What: Division II regional semifinal When: 8 p.m., March 3 Where: Barberton High School, 3540 Barber Road, Barberton Records: Perry 20-5, West Branch 22-3 On deck: The winner advances to the regional championship game to face the winner of Laurel and Norton at 7p.m. on March 6. Perry’s path: Defeated Jefferson, 61-13; def. Gilmour, 46-39; def. West Geauga, 62-46 West Branch’s path: Defeated Ravenna, 55-5; def. Salem, 47-19; def. Poland, 44-43 For the record: The Pirates are back in the regional tournament after losing to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 60-52, in last year’s regional semifinal round. The Pirates have won three in a row since a regular season-ending loss to Cornerstone. West Branch has won four in a row since a late-season loss to McDonald. ... If you like defense, this is a game for you. The Pirates only give up 32.8points per game, while the Warriors only give up 32.3 points per game. Perry has been particularly stingy in the second half of games during tournament time. The Pirates trailed in both district games, but held the opposition to less than 20second-half points in both games . ... Guards Elle Infalvi and Madyson Hacking both average 13.5points per game. Infalvi is the team’s best deep threat with 643-pointers this year. Jacey Anderson averages 6.7points and 6.5rebounds as the team’s top post presence. ... West Branch got 13points from 5-foot-9senior and 11 from sophomore point guard Anna Lippiatt in the district final. Six-footer Jessica Bock anchors the paint for the Warriors. 5-10senior Hannah Ridgway (16points, 13boards in the district semifinal) is another option. Kampf’s pick: West Branch Kampf’s season record: 36-7