Girls basketball: Elyria Catholic's Isabelle Niederst turns Senior Night into Senior's Night with a career-high 39 points in win over Midview

ELYRIA — It started out as Senior Night at Elyria Catholic. It ended up as the Isabelle Niederst show. Niederst, one of five seniors who started for the Panthers, scored a career-high 39 points as Elyria Catholic pulled away late for a 72-56 non-league win over Midview. Niederst scored 13 of the Panthers' 16 first-quarter points and had a streak of 15 consecutive Elyria Catholic points that lasted for six minutes until Nevaeh Sawyer scored with six minutes remaining in the half. "It's obvious she's special," Elyria Catholic coach Eric Rothgery said of Niederst. "Honestly, I watch her every day in practice so it really didn't surprise me. I looked up at one point and was like, 'Wow, she has over 20 points already.' It just felt like what I watch her do every day in practice." Niederst had 25 points at the half to help the Panthers overcome a 10-point first-quarter deficit to take a 38-32 lead. She also finished with 10 rebounds and five steals. "It was a very exciting night being Senior Night and just being able to start with all five seniors was awesome," said Niederst, whose previous career-high was 30 points in a game last month against Westlake. "Once I knocked down a few shots I knew I could make some more but when the defense started collapsing on me I was just trying to kick it out to my open teammates." Rothgery gave his seniors — Niederst, Sawyer, Lauren Riddell, Meagan Pena and Elaiah Fisher — the start and had them play most of the fourth quarter. Niederst was last to leave the court with 22.5 seconds left in the game, but in the closing minutes she spent much of her time getting her teammates open looks instead of trying to pump up her scoring total. "She's the whole package," Rothgery said. "It's going to be hard to say goodbye." The Panthers improved to 15-5 on the year. Elyria Catholic, playing without forward Lexi Rodriguez, who is sidelined after undergoing a medical procedure, led by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter. Sawyer had eight points for the Panthers, including a pair of 3-pointers. Niederst's performance overshadowed a career night for Middies sophomore Leah DiFranco, who made five 3-pointers and went 7-of-9 from the free throw line on her way to a 30 points. "Typically you win when you get 45 points from two players but Isabelle Niederst is one-in-a-million," Midview coach Brittney McNamara said. "She's a great kid and does everything right and she just couldn't miss the bucket tonight." "My teammates were finding me on their kicks and drives," DiFranco said. "I was hitting shots so I kept letting them go. We had nothing to lose. When you hit your first shot you know it's going to be a good night." DiFranco actually hit her first three shots as part of a 14-point first quarter. Midview (7-11) also got 15 points from senior Erica Baldoza. "We showed tonight how much we've come together as a team," DiFranco said. "We still have to play the full four quarters but we showed our potential and what we can do tonight against a really good EC team." It's been a tough season for the Middies but McNamara was excited watching DiFranco, knowing she likely has many more 30 points games in her future. "Leah is incredible," McNamara said. "She's a hard worker and a quiet leader but she does what she needs to do on the court every single time. More and more the work that she puts in starting to shine on the court." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Elyria Catholic 72, Midview 56 MIDVIEW (56): Erica Baldoza 5-5-15, Hunter Crum 2-0-6, Alana Stacey 1-0-2, Leah DiFranco 9-7-30, Ava Lewis 1-0-3. Totals 18-12-56. ELYRIA CATHOIC (72): Nevaeh Sawyer 2-2-8, Gabby Rodriguez 1-0-2, Lauren Riddell 0-0-0, Meagan Pena 0-0-0, Isabelle Niederst 16-5-39, Elaiah Fisher 2-0-4, Sophia Niederst 1-0-2, Nadia Pagan 3-1-7, Camara Ogletree 1-0-3, Julianna Cerny 1-0-2, Mya Rivera 2-0-5. Totals 25-8-72. Midview&emsp; &emsp;23&emsp; &emsp;9&emsp; &emsp;8&emsp;&emsp;16&emsp;&emsp;—&emsp;&emsp;56Elyria Catholic&emsp;&emsp;16&emsp;&emsp;22&emsp;&emsp;16&emsp;&emsp;18&emsp;&emsp;—&emsp;&emsp;72 Three-point goals: Midview (DiFranco 5, Crum 2, Lewis), Elyria Catholic (I. Niederst 2, Sawyer 2, Ogletree). Field goals: Midview 18-50 (36 percent), Elyria Catholic 25-67 (37 percent). Free throws: Midview 12-17 (71 percent), Elyria Catholic 8-12 (67 percent). Rebounds: Midview 39, Elyria Catholic 30. Turnovers: Midview 28, Elyria Catholic 14. Team fouls: Midview 11, Elyria Catholic 17.Junior varsity: Elyria Catholic, 58-22