Girls basketball: Cedar Point tournament offers area teams a chance to build chemistry, play tough competition

SANDUSKY — A trip to Cedar Point was no day at the beach for three local girls basketball teams. Avon, Avon Lake and Midview were all on the court Friday for the opening day of the Midwest Live Showcase at the Cedar Point Sports Center. Each team had one goal in mind, beginning preparations for the 2024-25 season. Avon Lake went 1-1 on Friday, defeating Medina Highland 33-23 in a matchup of Division I district semifinalists from last spring in its opener. The Shoregals then lost 42-41 to Toledo Start after leading for much of the second half. "I think we're doing really good," senior Izzie Polinko said. "Even though we're still young our energy is up and we're really coming together as a team." Polinko, Olivia Tobin and Bre Jones are returning seniors on an Avon Lake team that lost four seniors to graduation. All are looking to play big roles next year on a Shoregals team with Southwestern Conference title aspirations. "We lost a lot of good seniors last year but we've got a lot of good young players coming up," Tobin said. "We're trying to get used to each other and this is a good chance to build that team chemistry." The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association puts on the two-day event, which gives 81 teams from across the state the chance to face quality competition under the watchful eyes of college scouts, who are permitted to attend the event. "I'm super excited to be here," Avon coach Maggie Ferrando said. "This is one of the premier events in Ohio and it's good for our girls to experience this atmosphere. It's nice to see so many SWC schools here. The SWC is known as one of the premier conferences and I like that, however, having some of these great teams from across the state and the college coaches here really makes it a big-time event for the girls." Despite coming in with just one returning senior, Amelia Holbrook, the Eagles held their own against Twinsburg in their opening game. Junior Abby Owens tied the game late before the Tigers pulled away for a 41-36 win in overtime. To keep the event on schedule, teams play an abbreviated one-minute overtime if a game is tied at the end of regulation. "This is a really important event when you have a young team," Holbrook said. "I think we're really going to come together this weekend." As the only senior, Holbrook knows the importance of preparing her young teammates for new experiences on and off the court. "It's weird, it's different being the only (senior)," Holbrook said. "I talk to the younger girls a lot. We all help each other out. I remember when I was a freshman and I was scared and nervous to talk to other people. I want to make sure we're all communicating so we can do what we have to do on the court." The Eagles lost 42-23 to Hillsboto in their second game. Midview coach Brittney McNamara knows all about being young. Not only were the Middies without star guard Leah DiFranco, who was away at a camp, they dressed six incoming freshmen to face Dayton Chaminade-Julienne and Norwayne teams that combined for 31 wins last season. "We're learning and getting better each day," McNamara said. "We're going to take a lot of bumps and bruises along the way as we're learning but playing against good competition is going to help." The event concludes today with Avon facing Willard and Columbiana Crestview, while Avon Lake takes on Chippewa and Gahanna Lincoln, and Midview closes out the day with games against Brunswick and Delaware Hayes. After being held to 14 points against the Eagles, Midview found more offense in its second game, falling 52-22 to Norwayne. "I told them I don't care about the score, the mistakes and the bad plays," McNamara said. "All that matters is that they don't get upset, don't get frustrated and still work their butt off every play." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.