Poland perfection ends in regional final

March 9, 2019 at 12:10a.m.

Poland’s unbeaten

streak halted

in regional final

BARBERTON

Poland senior Kat Partika saved the biggest shot of her varsity career for her final game.

In the fourth quarter of Friday’s 56-46 loss to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Poland wiped out a 13-point second-quarter deficit to tie the game 38-38 early in the fourth quarter.

Partika then hit a 3-pointer to break the tie and energize the boisterous Poland crowd watching.

“I was so happy for her,” said sophomore Jackie Grisdale. who led the Bulldogs (26-1) with 18 points. “She works so hard and to see her succeed like that and put us ahead was a really big moment.”

Senior Sarah Bury agreed.

“That was crazy — the momentum, the fans,” said Bury who scored 13 points in her final varsity contest. “It was a crazy moment. Taking the lead was huge after being down [so much].”

Partika said she wasn’t sure the ball would find the net when she released.

“I really didn’t think it was going to go in,” Partika said.

Poland coach Nick Blanch said Partika “has worked so hard offensively. She’s a girl that gives 100 percent all the time, but just struggled offensively until her senior year.

“She’s been great so I’m not surprised that she hit that 3 — I felt so awesome for her.”

Partika’s shot gave Poland its final lead. The Irish (18-9) outscored the Bulldogs 18-5 down the stretch to win the Division II Barberton regional and a berth in the state tournament.

Freshman Lanae Riley led the Irish with 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Senior Maria Dobson scored 15 points.

“They were very, very big, strong,” Grisdale said, “We knew it would be really physical. They definitely were aggressive.”

The Irish led 30-17 in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs reduced the deficit to eight at halftime.

“We knew the game wasn’t over,” Bury said. “We just knew we couldn’t give up.”

Blanch credited his four seniors — Bury, Partika, Elena Cammack and Marlie McConnell — for leadership at an unusual time for an undefeated team.

“They lead by example, they demand that everyone give their best effort,” Blanch said. “I couldn’t be more proud of this group of leaders and the team — couldn’t ask for a better season.”

The Bulldogs outscored the Irish 12-6 in the third quarter to trail by two. Grisdale’s five points in that frame included one of her four 3-pointers. Bury scored four points. In the fourth quarter, Grisdale sank two free throws to tie the game.

Partika said that when looks back on coming so close to going to state and losing just once, she’ll remember “my teammates and coaches.

“They’ve been my best friends for forever.”

The Bulldogs swept their Northeast 8 opponents and made their first regional appearance in 19 seasons.

“It’s been an unforgettable season, our coaches prepping us so well for every game and putting all their time and effort into it,” Bury said. “My teammates — I’ll never forget this group. We’re the closest we’ve ever been in my four years and I’m going to miss everyone that is a part of this.”

Grisdale said she’ll miss her graduating teammates.

“So glad I played with them — it’s going to be really hard shoes to fill next year,” she said.