Classic in the Country: more close finishes highlight Day 2

Kevin Lynch, The Daily Record
·4 min read

After a day of close contests that averaged a four-point margin of victory, the second day of Classic in the Country started off with a blowout but finished strong with some superb play.

Fairland 67, Margaretta 28

Fairland's Kylee Bruce drives in for a layup against Margaretta.
Fairland's Kylee Bruce drives in for a layup against Margaretta.

The Dragons displayed a balanced attack that saw four players hit double figures and another score nine in the Sunday afternoon romp. Tomi Hinkle poured in 16 points, including four 3-pointers as Fairland started strong and pulled away with a 19-4 blitz in the third quarter. Bree Allen chipped in 12 points and Kamryn Barnitz and Bailey Russel each scored 11. Kylee Bruce added nine points and five rebounds for winners.

The Polar Bears were playing without a pair of their top players who are injured. Jaelle Keller led the Margaretta attack with 11 points.

Solon 61, Lakota West 60

A pair of perennial Div. I powers went at it in Sunday's second game at Classic in the Country, and after building an eight-point lead by halftime, the Comets had to hold on to fend off the hard-charging Firebirds down the stretch.

Morgan Blackford drives down the lane for two of her 19 points against Lakota West.
Morgan Blackford drives down the lane for two of her 19 points against Lakota West.

Solon had four players score in double figures with Mackenzie Blackford and Morgan Blackford leading the way with 19 points and nine rebounds apiece. Sophia Lance scored 12 and Kaylee Levenhagen added 10.

The Firebirds were paced by freshman sensation Katie Fox, who drilled four 3-pointers on her way to a game-high 21 points. Sydney Williams added 11 and Lily Johnson and Star Owens chipped in nine apiece.

Solon led 17-16 after the first quarter and stretched its lead to 30-22 at the half. The lead remained eight after three, 51-43, but the Firebirds fourth quarter comeback came up just short.

North Canton Hoover 34, Toldeo Notre Dame 31 (OT)

The first overtime battle of the Classic was won by the Vikings, thanks to a 3-pointer by senior Lilly Cain.

Grace Craig shoots for two over Dekota Smith during action Sunday at Classic in the Country in Berlin.
Grace Craig shoots for two over Dekota Smith during action Sunday at Classic in the Country in Berlin.

The Vikings led 9-5 after one quarter and 15-12 at the half, before the Eagles took an 18-17 lead into the fourth quarter that ended up knotted at 27-all.

Hoover's 6-2 senior post took game scoring honors with 12 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Laurenb Rose chipped in nine for the winners.

Nina Smith led the Eagles with 11 points. Dekota Smith added nine.

West Clermont 39, Magnificat 31

A 21-5 run in the third quarter, keyed by some big shots from Seini Hicks helped the Wolves overtake the Blue Streaks, for the eight-point win. Hicks poured in 12 point and ripped down 16 rebounds. Layle Hale chipped in 10 points for the winners.

West Clermont junior Seini Hicks gets off a jumper over the defensive effort of Magnificat's Gemma Wichmann.
West Clermont junior Seini Hicks gets off a jumper over the defensive effort of Magnificat's Gemma Wichmann.

The Wolves led 8-4 after one period but Magnificat tied things up at 11 by intermission in this defensive tussle.

Abby Rosol led the Blue Streaks with 11 points.

Mason 50, Olmsted Falls 34

In a game projected as a possible State Final Four preview, the Rockets got a stellar performance from sophomore Madison Parrish, who pumped in 19 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists as the Cincinnati region took care of business against the Northeast Ohio powerhouse Bulldogs,

Mason's Madison {Parrish drives to the hole against Olmsted Falls defender Erin Bich.
Mason's Madison {Parrish drives to the hole against Olmsted Falls defender Erin Bich.

Olmsted Falls got off to a fast start as Paige Kohler and Danielle Cameron hit from long range to give the Buklldogs a 12-8 lead after one.

Gabby Razzano and Carly Prows got hot for Mason as the Comets rallied to take a 22-19 lead at intermission. A 20-9 blitz in the third quarter by Mason knocked the wind out of the sails for Olmsted Falls.

Toledo Start 58, Jackson 27

The Spartans had too much quickness and firepower for the short-handed Polar Bears in this 31-point romp.

Ashley Lahmers goes up for two over a Toledo Start defender during action Sunday at Classic in the Country in Berlin.
Ashley Lahmers goes up for two over a Toledo Start defender during action Sunday at Classic in the Country in Berlin.

A trio of players scored in double figures for the winners, led by Komara Sylvester's 20 points. Tai'Laya Garrison added 16 points and Sinia Douglas added 15.

Madison Lepley came off the bench to pace the Polar Bears with eight points.

The Spartans led 18-7 after the first quarter and never looked back, extending their lead to 31-18 at intermission.

Bolingbrook 55, Laurel 46

Tristan Williams brings the ball up the court against Bolingbrook Raiders.
Tristan Williams brings the ball up the court against Bolingbrook Raiders.

A fast start and a strong finish helped the team from Illinois fend off the Gators.

Angelina Smith led the winners with 21 points and eight rebounds. Persais Williams and Yahaira Bueno each chipped in 10.

Saniyah Hall and Mari Bickley provided the one-two punch for the Gators, scoring 16 and 15.

Laurel led 25-24 at the half, but a 14-9 run by Bolingbrook got momentum going the way of the Raiders, who finished the game on a 17-12 run.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Girls Basketball: recapping Day 2 of the Classic in the Country