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Veteran Garfield team pulls away from Ursuline late
Veteran Garfield
team pulls away
from Ursuline late
By BROOKE MEENACHAN
CUYAHOGA FALLS
It was a game of experience versus inexperience.
And the Ursuline girls basketball team’s lack of composure proved to be the difference in a 60-50 loss to Garrettsville Garfield in a Division III regional semifinal Wednesday night at Cuyahoga Falls High School.
“Half my team played on this floor two years ago,” said Garfield head coach Aaron Gilbert. “I think that helped our kids. It’s a big learning experience because it’s a big change in atmosphere.”
Garfield started five seniors, including Grayson Rose, who led the G-Men with 22 points. Lauren Jones added 14.
Ursuline’s starting five was made up of one senior and four sophomores.
“When you have a group of kids who have been here and kind of done that, absolutely, it’s easier,” said Irish head coach Vannessa Dickson.
“This is the first trip for my kids. It’s a lot to take in, but I think they were ready. We’ve been in pressure situations throughout the season. They’ve done well in those situations. The ball just didn’t roll our way and that’s how it goes sometimes.”
The Irish (13-11) led 30-28 at halftime, but the G-Men (23-4) started the third quarter on a 7-0 run and held Ursuline to just seven points in the period. By the end of the third, Garfield led, 44-37.
It also didn’t help that the Irish missed six of seven foul shots in the third quarter.
Ursuline began the fourth quarter with a bucket from Anyah Curd and two fouls shots from Dayshanette Harris to cut Garfield’s lead to 44-41.
The G-men responded with two back-to-back buckets to regain a 48-41 advantage with 6:16 remaining.
Simone Comer made a layup with 3:39 left to make it 53-48, but several Ursuline turnovers allowed Garfield to capitalize extend its lead to 58-48.
Comer — Ursuline’s lone senior — finished with 13 points. The Irish were just 6 of 16 at the foul line.
“I think we got out of sorts a little bit, but I give credit to [Garfield],” Dickson said. “They were absolutely prepared. They played a great game. We didn’t do the little things right. We got away from playing defense, from limiting them to one shot, to sharing the basketball.”
With two minutes remaining, Harris got called with a charge and fouled out.
The sophomore averaged nearly 30 points this season and the G-men knew they had to limit her efforts.
Gilbert said the magic number was 25, meaning he figured to be content with Harris getting that many points.
“She’s just a pure scorer,” he said. “You’re not going to stop her. She’s going to get her points.”
Harris finished with 27 points for Ursuline.
“She’s a great kid,” Dickson said. “She puts her heart and soul into this game every day. She’ll be back.”
Harris was emotional after the game.
“It’s what I’m here to do,” she said, fighting back tears. “We wanted this, but we couldn’t get it. I hope to get my team here next year.”
Dickson understands the feeling.
“I can’t be more proud,” she said. “Right now, I know there’s a lot of tears. It hurts from them. I’ve been there. I know there’s not a lot anyone can say to make them feel better, but I’m proud of them.”
Ursuline figures to return most of this team next season.
“These kids are going to remember how that feels,” Dickson said. “This group of sophomores have come a long way over the course of the year. In the beginning, we had to learn how to play together as a team. When you’re asking a bunch of sophomores to play at the varsity level against a bunch juniors and seniors, it’s tough.
“Hopefully, next year, when we come back we’ll be read.”