The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
High school girls basketball tournament capsules
NO. 11 BROOKFIELD VS. NO. 3 AOA
What: Division IV sectional final
When: 1, Feb. 22
Where: AOA
Records: AOA 13-7
On deck: Winner plays the winner of (2) Cornerstone and (7) St. John in a district semifinal at 6p.m. on Feb. 26.
For the record: Brookfield crushed sixth-seeded Fairport in its tournament opener. Audrey Reardon scored 21 to lead her team, with Sophia Hook scoring 16 (including two 3-pointers). But AOA is a cut above. Tai Roberts (17.3 ppg) is fast, explosive and can put points on the board and June Ruiz has 24 3-pointers this year. Can Brookfield keep up? Kampf’s pick: AOA
NO. 7 ST. JOHN VS. NO. 2 CORNERSTONE
What: Division IV sectional final
When: 7, Feb. 22
Where: Fairport Records: Cornerstone 175, St. John 10-13
On deck: Winner plays the winner of (3) AOA and (11) Brookfield in a district semifinal at 6 p.m. on Feb. 26.
For the record: The Heralds advanced with a forfeit win over Newbury,
which was struck down with the flu this week and didn’t have enough players for the sectional semifinal. Emily Cevera is a 1,000-point career scorer, and both Sydney Carpenter and Lati Fleming can score. But Cornerstone is a juggernaut, with Madison Cloonan, Michaela Cloonan, Kailey Tyna and Riley Stopp all averaging double figures and the Patriots featuring a smothering, relentless defense. This one won’t be close.
Kampf’s pick: Cornerstone
NO. 6 BERKSHIRE VS. NO. 3 KIRTLAND
What: Division III sectional final
When: 1, Feb. 22
Where: Kirtland
For the record: The Badgers cranked up the defense in their sectional semifinal win over Conneaut, 37-27. Kirtland won both regular-season matchups against Berkshire, 47-13 and 49-28. The Badgers, led offensively by Lexi Boyk and Lydia Kastor - both scoring in double digits - are going to have to find a way to ramp up the offense against the defensive-stingy Hornets. Kirtland is led by Julia Camino (8.5 ppg) and Lauren Snyder (12.7 ppg).
On deck: Winner advances to play the winner of (2) Garrettsville and (7) Crestwood in a district semifinal at 6 p.m. on Feb. 26
Kampf’s pick: Kirtland