Grant ignites Ursuline to title

The senior standout scored 35 points in a 58-38 win over Brookfield.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HANOVERTON -- There haven't been too many quarters in her outstanding career where Ursuline High senior player Tyra Grant hasn't scored at least one basket.
So it's not surprising that the Penn State recruit's eyes were on fire when the second quarter of Saturday's Division III district final against Brookfield got under way.
In outscoring the Irish 10-8 during the first eight minutes, the Warriors exerted a lot of energy and made their presence felt with solid contact. Grant had four points, all on free throws.
Less than two minutes later, Brookfield's spark had been doused. First, Grant sank a 3-pointer from near the top of the key. In the next 20 seconds, she stole the ball and raced for an easy layup.
The Irish (19-4) didn't trail again, outscoring the Warriors 21-4 in the second quarter to post a 58-38 victory and capture their sixth consecutive district title.
"It never gets old," Ursuline coach Sean Durkin said. "The chance to see your kids cut down nets is very special."
On to regionals
Wednesday at 6:15 p.m., Ursuline will play Waterloo (21-2) in a regional semifinal game at Cuyahoga Falls High School.
"In the first quarter, we came out a little sluggish so in the second quarter I was determined to not lose," said Grant who scored 12 points over those eight minutes and 35 points on the day.
Durkin said Grant "is such a competitive kid. I think that is her greatest attribute. She's willing to take the team on her shoulders when she has to. At the beginning of the second quarter, she kind of did that."
Neither Durkin nor Brookfield coach Shawn Hammond were surprised at the contact their teams endured.
"We kind of figured it would be physical because we're rather physical, too," Durkin said of the game that had 63 free throws.
Hammond said the Warriors' goal was "to match them in intensity. They play great pressure defense."
Free throws difference
The Irish made 32-of-41 foul shots. Durkin believes that's the most his team has taken this season.
"We tend to get fouled a lot because we drive to the hoop as much as we can," Durkin said. "We've been a good free throw shooting team all year. When you shoot that many and make a high percentage, that's certainly going to be a factor in a ball game."
Hammond said the game turned when the Warriors were unable to set screens.
"We were letting them get around our screens getting people open," Hammond said. "When you play a team with that kind of quickness, you have to be able to get the ball in and up the floor. We had a hard time with that in the second quarter."
Once again, the difference was Grant who made seven baskets and 19 free throws.
Warriors praise Grant
"She's a great player," said Brookfield sophomore Morgan Bonekovic who led the Warriors with 18 points. "I have so much respect for her.
"We kinda knew what to expect because we lost to them last year in the semifinals and they have most of their players back," Bonekovic said.
Grant complemented the Warriors, saying, "This was as physical of a game I have played in. The energy level in this place was unbelievable."
Ursuline senior Vannessa Dickson, who scored 10 points, said, "We knew it would be rough. I wasn't surprised because it's a district final game. When you get down to the final 32 teams, you know it's going to be a good game."
For Brookfield (17-6), Kari Haywood scored nine points and Kelly Jones eight. Shanice Webb didn't score, but played aggressive defense before fouling out in the third quarter.
williams@vindy.com