Titans upset Middies in sectional opener

Lorain’s Hisle scores 19 points, makes key steal in final minute

Sophomore Ashley Hisle has led Lorain all season long. On Feb. 18 at Midview in the opening game of the Division I Elyria Catholic sectional, she led in more ways than one. Hisle scored a game-high 19 points to lead the No. 9-seeded Titans to a 39-34 win over the No. 8 Middies. Lorain (12-11) advanced to face No. 1 Olmsted Falls on Feb. 21. Tied at 34 apiece, Hisle drove the paint and dished to an open Imani Thomas to take the lead with 22.7 seconds left. She then stole the ball on Midview’s ensuing possession, allowing Lorain to ice the game with free throws. “If we got a lead, coach tells me to drive the bus and park it in the garage,” Hisle said. “That’s what he always says to us.” Hisle made a pair of momentum-swinging 3-pointers, including one at the buzzer to end the first half to give the Titans a 16-12 lead, and then a last-second 3-pointer to end the third quarter giving Lorain a 27-22 lead. Midview made a spurt in the fourth after Emma Barnes made a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 29-25.

RANDY MEYERS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Ashley Hisle of Lorain drives through the Midview defense for a basket during the first quarter on Feb. 18.