GBB: Lutheran West advances in North Ridgeville District with win over Columbia

by Don DiFrancesco
@MayorNEOPrep

ROCKY RIVER, OHIO– Lutheran West advanced in the North Ridgeville district tournament with a decisive 63-27 victory over Columbia on Saturday afternoon.

Columbia made things interesting in the first quarter as senior forward Madison Spirnak connected for three consecutive baskets. Lutheran West uncharacteristically turned the ball over five times in the opening period and Columbia trailed by just eight (19-11) at quarter’s end.

The Longhorns cranked things up on both ends of the court throughout the second quarter. With 3 minutes to play in the first half, West’s junior guard Larnae Vance dialed up a long 3-pointer giving the Longhorns their largest lead of the half at 32-14. Vance had 15 first-half points and was the game’s leading scorer with 20.

The second half was all Lutheran West. Sophomore forward Jashauna Harris scored on a layup just before the third quarter ended giving the Longhorns a 50-21 advantage. The fourth quarter was largely played under a new OHSAA rule stipulating a running clock when one team has a 35-point lead.

Columbia finished their season at 12-12. The Lady Raiders’ leading scorer on the day was senior guard Mikayla Dupaski with eight points.

The Lady Longhorns (20-3) will face No. 2 Kirtland at North Ridgeville High School on Wednesday.

 

	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
COLUMBIA	11	6	4	6	27
LUTHERAN WEST	19	15	16	13	63

Columbia

Dupaski                  3-0-8

Spirnak                   3-0-6

Thomas                  2-0-5

Gerda                      1-2-4

Matzelle                0-2-2

Roberts                 1-0-2

Lutheran West

Vance                      8-1-20

Rondin                    6-1-13

Ellerbruch, C.     4-1-9

Johnson                 2-3-7

Ellerbruch, J.      2-0-5

Harris                      2-0-4

Scolaro                  1-0-3

Asche                      1-0-2