Ovid-Elsie defense shut down Dansville to win first regional title since 1984
DANSVILLE – Ovid Elsie's girls basketball program took a big step on Tuesday when it got its first regional playoff win in nearly 40 years in a tight contest with Grass Lake.
Thursday was a chance for the program to make the next leap and earn a regional title, just like in 1984. And this time around, the Marauders left nothing to chance, dominating Division 3 No. 6-ranked Dansville 35-12 behind stellar defense.
"I thought we were locked in and tough on defense, we were good with keeping this game in the 30s, that was our goal," Ovid-Elsie coach Ryan Cunningham said. "We hit some big shots when we had to and got to the free-throw line. I'm just really proud of the way the girls competed."
Junior forward Braeden Tokar had 16 points, while junior guard Evalyn Cole added 10 points to pace the Marauders. Ovid-Elsie was able to hold Dansville to a staggering season low in points, with no basket coming easy.
Tokar, who tore her ACL in her freshman and sophomore seasons, is now reaping the benefits of finally being healthy enough to be able to contribute.
"It's one of the most accomplished feelings I know myself and my teammates have felt," Tokar said. "We just really wanted to get this win and we did it. It feels amazing, and I think we showed what we can do. Our defense was lockdown tonight, we had a great gameplan and we executed."
Dansville hosted the regional and its gym was packed with hundreds of Ovid-Elsie parents and fans who made the trek south. The community has rallied behind this team, and it's nothing but appreciation from that side.
"To see our community travel like this for girls basketball is amazing," Cunningham said. "It's taken us a couple of years to build this kind of support, but I love them for it and I'm so thankful that the came out and showed out in droves."
Ovid-Elsie (22-4) will face Blissfield (25-1) in a state quarterfinal Tuesday at Springport High School.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Ovid-Elsie stifles Dansville to win first regional title since 1984
