NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- Lutheran East carried underdog dreams Saturday as the No. 7-seeded Falcons faced top-seed Elyria Catholic in the Division III district title game. But dreams aren't always answered.
The Panthers rolled to a 52-32 victory, earning a trip to next week's regional semifinal against either Youngstown Liberty or Ravenna Southeast.
The Panthers took control with a 19-1 domination in the second quarter. Credit great defense led by the Winnen sisters, Ally and Abby, who refused to give up any room in the paint.
“I felt like we D’d up pretty well ... tried to keep them in front of us and make them throw a lot of stuff over the top to see if we can tip [the ball],” says Panthers head coach Eric Rothgery who is celebrating his second straight divisional title, “the girls played really solid defense in that second quarter.”
Rothgery’s defensive plan worked as the Falcons forced 13 first-half turnovers. By the second quarter, the Panthers' scoring was in full gear as well. Guard Faith Williams showed off her handle, scoring 13 of her 19 points in the first half.
“[Falcons] were talking to me and that’s when it clicked,” said Williams about some trash talking, “I was like, 'all right we have to seal the deal right here.'”
Williams wasn’t the only Panther to show off. Ally Winnen put together a complete stat line of seven points, seven rebounds and four assists while forward Kaylie Griffin helped out with eight points and six rebounds.
Even though the Falcons were down big after the first half, 27-10, it was not all bad news for the district runner-up. Junior forward Tyra Eppinger was a star with 15 points on 7-of-9 from from floor.
Zach Harley is a freelancer from Parma, Ohio.
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