The Division II girls basketball Final Four kick started the 36th annual girls basketball state tournament Thursday at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center. A crowd of 5,459 caught the first session which showcased one team looking for its fifth straight state final appearance and three other schools all making their first trip. Here’s how it played out…
Hathaway Brown 53, Cambridge 36
The Blazers (17-9) advanced to their fifth straight Division II state championship game with convincing win over the Bobcats (22-5). HB trialed 6-5 with 2:13 to go in the first quarter but used a 12-0 run to separate itself. Cambridge pulled to within five points in the third quarter but didn’t get any closer.
HB was led by sophomore Vanessa Smith who had 12 points. Senior Tanisha Lawler chipped in 11 points, while sophomore Nia Marshall had a team-high 12 boards.
Cambridge senior Molly Ritz led the Bobcats with 12 points and a game-high 16 boards.
HB’s defense forced 23 turnovers and had 15 steals.
*Player of the Game: Vanessa Smith, So., Hathaway Brown: The 6-foot-1 wing showed why she believes getting a scholarship from UConn is a viable goal. Smith played turnover free basketball and added four steals. *Stat of the Game: Cambridge shot 27.3-percent from the field for the game (12-of-44).
Dayton Carroll 47, Clyde 43
The Patriots (23-4) survived the Fliers (25-1) furious finish to advance to their first state championship game. Defense propelled Carroll. Clyde entered the game averaging 69 points but was held to four in the first quarter and 13 in the first half. The Fliers 43 points was their lowest total of the year and the first time they failed to score at least 52.
Carroll scored just seven points of its own in the first quarter, but the Patriots never trailed in the final 24 minutes.
Junior Kelley Austria led Carroll with 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals. Senior Ciara Triplett, a Wright State recruit, added 10 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
Freshman Amanda Cahill led Clyde with 15 points.
*Player of the Game: Kelley Austria, Jr., Carroll: The Dayton recruit made two free throws with 5.6 seconds left to ice the game for the Patriots. How important is Austria to Carroll’s success? The Patriots four-game losing streak this year occurred with her out of the line-up due to injury. *Stat of the Game: Carroll failed to connect on a 3-pointer, going 0-for-8. It didn’t matter.
D-II Final: Hathaway Brown (17-9) vs Dayton Carroll (23-4), Saturday, 10:45 a.m. JJHuddle Prediction: Carroll 40-38
