The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
AVON CAPTURES SWC CHAMPIONSHIP
Yukovich’s free throws seal crown for Eagles
With Avon, Olmsted Falls, Avon Lake, Westlake and Berea-Midpark all coming into the evening with a chance to claim at least a share of the Southwestern Conference title, it had the makings to be a memorable night in the Morning Journal area on Feb. 24.
However, Avon’s, like Avon Lake’s, scenario was simple: Win and you’re guaranteed at least a share of the title.
The Eagles (17-5, 14-4 SWC) were locked in a defensive battle with the Bulldogs (15-7, 12-6 SWC) all game long as they scraped and clawed for loose balls and dove into the stands on at least a few occasions. With neither team budging, Avon finally seized momentum in the third quarter with a pair of 3’s from senior Eli Autzenhoffer, the shots boosted the Eagles to a six-point lead. The Bulldogs came roaring back as the game came down to the final minutes. At 44-43, it was there that another Eagle rose to the occasion as Ben Yurkovich knocked
down a couple of pressure free throws with the conference crown on the line.
Avon emerged the victor, 46-43, and with the Shoremen’s loss to North Olmsted, became the sole champions of the Southwestern Conference.
Yurkovich didn’t hold back the truth when asked about those pressure free throws.
“I am going to be completely honest with you. I was extremely nervous. but I was lucky enough to go up to the line and knock them both down for my team,” Yurkovich said.
Yurkovich finished with five points, three rebounds and one assist.
The ecstasy after the game was a much different story than the nervepacked gymnasium a few hours earlier as both teams established that this was going to be a dogfight.
Lead changes came early and often, with Olmsted Falls notching a slight lead at the end of the first quarter, 12-10.
It was all out effort from the beginning against a tough opponent and a hostile crowd and Bulldogs coach Chris DeLisio didn’t expect anything less from his boys.
“Yeah, I mean I thought our guys played really hard. I was proud of our effort, especially on the defensive end. That is a high-powered team and I thought overall we did a really nice job against them,” DeLisio said.
Avon battled back, sticking with its game plan on defense as it stuck with the Bulldogs’ every move into the second quarter.
“Absolutely, Falls is a really good team and they have a lot of guards that can handle the ball and shoot the ball. I thought we did a really good job for the most part limiting penetration and contesting shots,” Eagles coach Kevin Sapara said.
Back-and-forth they went as they were even at halftime, 20-20.
Avon big man Vlassi Pappas came through in a big way, snagging every crucial rebound as he finished with four points and a gamehigh nine rebounds.
Autzenhoffer knew his teammate and best friend would come through in the big game.
“Vlassi is one of my best friends and I always try to keep him positive. He has gone through those peaks and valleys, too. He is starting to play really good and he is going to be really good down the road,” Autzenhoffer said.
The Bulldogs received a solid effort from Braden Galaska as he knocked down a couple of shots to give Olmsted Falls back the lead, 29-27. Galaska finished with a team-high 11 points, four rebounds and one block.
DeLisio thought his sophomore guard shined on the big stage.
“That’s Braden. He only plays one effort level and he gives it his all every time. Tonight was no different in a game like this. He had a great game,” DeLisio said.
The scrappy play continued into the third quarter as one Olmsted Falls player dove into the band while another crashed into a chair and a wall, all for the chance at grabbing a loose ball. Avon kept the pressure up and strung together a couple of huge 3’s from Autzenhoffer. His big time shots were his only points of the night, but gave the Eagles a 37-31 cushion headed into the fourth quarter.
“It really feels good to hit those shots for my team,” Autzenhoffer said. “They rely on me mostly for my defense but to come back and it’s been a great four years and to end it like this, it’s special, it’s really special.”
After the Eagles had built up the small lead, the Bulldogs came right back with a 3 from Eric Hanna, evening the game at 41-41. Hanna finished with eight points. three rebounds and two assists.
Avon jumped ahead yet again, setting up Yurkovich’s clutch free throws.
It was a special game and a special moment for Sapara, who made no mistake about it, this one is for the kids and the city of Avon.
“It’s not about what it means to me. I’m just really happy for this senior class and what it means to these kids. Couldn’t be happier for our team. We went through a lot of adversity this year but we were able to come out on top and I’m proud of everyone involved,” Sapara said.