Girls basketball: Medina Christian routs Barberton

BARBERTON — A banner in the gym at Barberton High School touts that its girls basketball team has 693 wins all time. That didn't faze Medina Christian, which picked up the 18th OHSAA win in program history with a 51-20 non-league blowout Monday evening. The Knights (3-7) dominated from the outset, going on a 17-0 run that spanned a good portion of the first and second quarters to open a 23-5 lead after the Magics (0-18) had cut the lead to 6-5. Junior Ann Sems and sophomore Grace Workman were the offensive catalysts, scoring 15 of the 17 points. "Before the game, Coach (Dan Tousley) told us to have a strong start so we can have a firm foundation," Sems said. "I was just really excited to play and get a strong start." The defense helped spur the run as well, with Medina Christian guarding as far out as midcourt on some possessions. That led to sloppy passes by the Magics and easy runouts for the Knights. "We always try to start with a good defense," Sems said. "(When we do that), we can work on our offense more and get points." The dominance continued in the second half, with Medina Christian outscoring Barberton 15-5 in the third quarter to take a 27-point lead. The Magics scored just five points in each quarter. "It feels good since we haven't had that many wins," Workman said. "I feel like we're starting to pick it up and starting to run through our offense and get open looks and score." Despite being down to just six players, Medina Christian outrebounded Barberton 48-21. Some led to transition opportunities and others second and third chances at the basket. Being strong on the boards was one of the things the Knights wanted to do. They were successful, as Workman led all players with 18 rebounds, Leah Stroup had 10 and the smallest player on the floor, 5-foot Aaliyah Rauckhorst, grabbed seven. Sems had six, Deanna Pace hauled in four and Ansley Wood added three. "I would say (that was the goal) in the first half, just to get up our score," Workman said. "Then in the second half, just to run the clock and run our offense and just keep on practicing." Workman led the way with a double-double, scoring 22 points to go with her 18 rebounds, while Sems had 14 points, Stroup had eight and Wood added five. The Knights had a 24-day break after playing on Dec. 19 and lost their first game back but have gone 3-2 since, including now winning back to back. "I would say we played a lot better than what we used to play," Workman said. "And from the break, I would say it was hard getting back into it, but after practice and going through our drills, that helped." Winning consecutive games for the first time this season is something the Knights feel can help them with four games left in the regular season. "I think it really boosts our confidence, especially since we're a small team," Sems said. "It really gets us closer together and gets us excited to play." As for playing in a large gym against a team with a rich history, Workman doesn't let that enter her mind. "I would say it doesn't really bother me that much," Workman said. "I just focus on myself and my team, and that's all I can do." It does give the players for Medina Christian, which is in just its third year of play in the OHSAA, something to strive for with the future of their program. "We just have to work hard so we can eventually, one day, become like that," Sems said. Contact Ryan Isley at sports@medina-gazette.com. Medina Christian 51, Barberton 20 MEDINA CHRISTIAN&emsp;18 9 15 9 — 51 BARBERTON&emsp;5 5 5 5 — 20 Barberton — Molly Bittinger 1-0-3, M'Yonna Dixon 0-0-0, Vivian Velo 1-2-5, Morgan Gibbs 4-0-9, Addyson Sullivan 1-0-3, Juliana Andrella 0-0-0, Ja'Mya Smith 0-0-0, Payton Cunningham 0-0-0, Lailah Epps 0-0-0, Annabelle Steidl 0-0-0, Malulani Soltis 0-0-0, Karmyn Davis 0-0-0. TOTALS: 7-2-20 Medina Christian — Aaliyah Rauckhorst 0-0-0, Ansley Wood 2-1-5, Ann Sems 7-1-14, Deanna Pace 0-0-0, Grace Workman 7-8-22, Leah Stroup 4-0-8. TOTALS: 20-10-51. 3-point goals — Bittinger, Velo, Gibbs, Sullivan, Sems. Rebounds — Medina Christian 48 (Workman 18, Stroup 10), Barberton 21 (Gibbs 9). Assists — Medina Christian 10 (Workman 3, Pace 3), Barberton 1 (Dixon). Records — Medina Christian (3-7), Barberton (0-18).