Little Giants make sectional crowns a habit with win over Oregon Clay
Sophomore Jasmin Heidelburg didn't play varsity last season, so the cord she snipped from the net Saturday is her first.
Her Fremont Ross teammates have collected three of them. The Little Giants beat Oregon Clay 57-25 for a third straight sectional championship.
"We'll celebrate and then get back in the gym," Little Giants point guard Destiny Robinson said. "We love winning. We take it one game at a time. We'll keep moving forward and the goal is state. We won't be satisfied until we get there."
Two-seed Ross (20-3) plays seven-seed Sylvania Northview at 6 p.m. Thursday at Lake. The Little Giants lost to Northview in a district semifinal last season and advanced to a district final two years ago.
"You survive to see another game, that's the significance," Little Giants coach Juan Vela said. "We love to play. The more games we play, the more fun we have. The more fun we have, the more big games we play. That's the way it works.
"Every coach wants to play in the Mecca of games — the state finals."
The Little Giants split with Three Rivers Athletic Conference champ Toledo Central Catholic, as well as Whitmer and Findlay in the league this season.
Ross led 22-4 after one quarter Saturday.
"Defensively, Abby [Cahill] started it and go the girls going getting tips and being aggressive on the ball," Vela said. "The group is starting to talk and play as one. When they do that, we can be dangerous."
Carma Johnson canned her second 3-pointer of the second quarter for a 43-9 advantage.
"She's developed from a role player to a key player," Vela said. "She can score at all three levels. It's an asset."
The Little Giants dominated the offensive glass, particularly in the second quarter.
"This group, we can be a threat on the boards, in transition, half-court, man, zone," Vela said. "They can be a threat."
Lyndi Wolf scored two buckets in transition off outlet passes from Robinson to start the third quarter. Robinson had a steal and three-point play for a running clock at 51-14 in the third quarter.
"The kids came with energy. The first game of the tournament, there are always jitters. The kids were relaxed and played. Lyndi was active on the floor. She had a nice drive and kiss off the glass."
Robinson scored 15 points, Wolf 10 points and Heidelburg added eight. The latter made a 3 for a 54-14 margin in the third quarter.
"Destiny is Destiny," Vela said. "Jasmin was more aggressive on offense. She hit open shots. She's been shooting great at practice. She had some offensive rebounds. She's a young player who will blossom. She's more comfortable with the varsity game and all the details.
"She can shoot the ball. She's starting to work on getting to the basket and midrange. She'll get there. She's a young kid who loves basketball. She did well as a freshman and we moved her up. She's learning to be patient, she's a good team player and I'm excited for her to develop into what I think she can be."
Heidelbrug was junior varsity point guard last season.
"The experience helped me playing with them," she said of practice. "Freshman season helped me get a feel for the game. I have more knowledge of the game and being in action, the game is faster. I'm catching up now."
She continues to gain confidence as a new piece to the puzzle.
"Just play my role and help out the team and the coaches as much as I can, mentally or physically," she said. "Our team chemistry had a big part to play. We're like sisters. We share the ball and we trust our teammates.
"We're close as a team. This is a team effort. Everybody has a part, whether they dress or start. The energy has a huge impact on getting where we want to get to."
Holmes is the only senior on the roster and Heidelburg wants to help put a bow on her career, with accord.
"It's Janiah's last year," she said. "Winning is a step closer to winning it all. We take it game by game. She's a big part for the team. It's a big responsibility [to step up], we're a young team."
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
Twitter: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Jasmin Heidelburg steps in as sophomore for Ross girls basketball
