Girls State Basketball: Olmsted Falls hammers Magnificat

DAYTON — The Olmsted Falls girls basketball team is returning to the Division I state championship game tonight after a thoroughly impressive 62-38 dismantling of Magnificat at University of Dayton Arena on Friday. The Bulldogs (25-3), who eliminated Wadsworth in the district finals, obtained a blowout with a 17-4 third quarter, made 10-of-19 3-pointers (52.6%) and had 18 assists on 24 field goals. Coming off a win over Medina, the Blue Streaks (21-7) made only 1-of-8 field goals in the fateful third and 1-of-11 3-pointers overall. Youngstown State recruit Danielle Cameron, who tied the all-division record for 3-pointers in a state tournament last season, had 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists to lead Olmsted Falls. Jessie Simon starred in the first half en route to 15 points and five dimes, while Maddie Cerovac, the daughter of former Brunswick standout Brad Cerovac, had 10 points and four assists. Magnificat got 10 points from center Reese Roggenburk and nine from wing Katie Maryo. In other games: Springboro 63, Pickerington Central 54 Bryn Martin caught fire and never cooled down, scoring a whopping 38 points to lead the Panthers (24-5) past the tradition-rich Tigers (25-4). Martin had 28 of Springboro's first 40 points and made 13-of-14 free throws. No one else scored more than seven for the Panthers, who were making their first state appearance since 1978, but Chloe Downing nailed a clutch 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. Central was paced by point guard Rylee Bess' 16 points and Zoe Coleman and Blossom Wallace's 11 apiece. Ms. Basketball finalist Berry Wallace had seven points, eight rebounds and four assists. Division II Laurel 53, Proctorville Fairland 52 The Gators (19-10) took the lead when Jordyn Meyer scored off a Saniyah Hall pass with five seconds left. The Dragons (26-2) were fouled while shooting with 0.2 seconds to go and made the first free throw, but the second hit front iron and Laurel survived. Ms. Basketball finalist and ESPN five-star recruit Hall was unstoppable with 26 points, 15 rebounds and four assists, while Meyer added 14 points. Located on the Ohio River in Southcentral Ohio, Fairland got 11 points apiece from Addison Godby, Kamryn Barnitz, Bailey Russell and Kylee Bruce. Purcell Marian 67, Copley 29 Coached former Cloverleaf boss Julie Solis, the Indians (25-4) couldn't hang with the incredibly talented and defending champion Cavaliers (28-1). Copley, which swept Highland in Suburban League American Conference play and opened its tournament run with a win over Buckeye, got 10 points from Kami Ayoup and eight from Evelyn McKnight — the daughter of former Wadsworth standout Jed McKnight — while former Brunswick player Audrey Parker had two points, two rebounds and a block. Two-time Ms. Basketball winner Dee Alexander put up 18 points, five boards and four assists for Purcell Marian, which also got 12 points from Jayda Mosley. Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.