Girls basketball: Avon Lake can't capitalize on late chances, loses to St. Vincent-St. Mary

AKRON — Perfection can be a matter of inches, something Avon Lake learned the hard way Saturday. The Shoregals had three chances in the final 20 seconds to keep their perfect season alive, but a turnover and two missed 3-pointers allowed St. Vincent-St. Mary to hold on for a 37-34 non-conference win, ending Avon Lake's nine-game winning streak. "We're going to learn how to be in high-pressure situations," said Avon Lake senior Olivia Tobin, who tied for the team high with eight points. "The gym was full, all of the parents were yelling, so we'll learn how to get through this and stay together as a team. As much as we hate losing, you can learn from everything and we're just going to try and get better next game." Saturday's game had everything one would expect from two of the top teams in Northeast Ohio. It featured 18 ties or lead changes — including 10 in the second half — and strong defense. Both teams shot less than 40 percent from the field, connecting on just two 3-pointers each. The Irish (10-1) honored senior point guard Kendal Batchik prior to the game as she broke the school record for career 3-pointers Thursday, eclipsing the previous mark of 130. However, the Shoregals made it a priority to keep her from shooting as she only got loose for one attempt — a nice look in the corner at the end of the first half. All four of her points, however, came at critical moments in the fourth quarter. Sydney Ferguson, a 6-foot-3 freshman, asserted herself in the post to lead the Irish with 13 points and six rebounds, though she was held to just three points in the second half. "Kendal is a really good guard," Avon Lake coach Paul Appel said. "She can shoot it from anywhere. Olivia Tobin had a large portion (of guarding her), Evelyn Ritt as well, they really took her away. When you're playing against a shooter like that, the plan isn't to hope she misses, it's to not let her get them off. I know she shot one in the corner that was a good look, and that's about the only good look I can remember her getting. That's the way we have to defend great players like that." Avon Lake (9-1) looked to have taken control in the final 2:15 of the third quarter when it finished with six unanswered points to take a 32-27 lead. Olivia Miller got the run started with a layup, sophomore forward Molly Milligan followed with another, then had a steal and found Tobin in transition for an easy layup. Miller also finished with eight points and led the team in rebounds with seven. Milligan had six points and four rebounds, but played sparingly in the fourth quarter after picking up her fourth foul in the final seconds of the third. "We knew they were switch heavy and would trap us from behind," Miller said. "I think we can improve a little bit, but I think we did good overall. We just knew to take our shots, not force anything and trust each other." The Irish gave Avon Lake a taste of its own medicine in the fourth quarter, limiting the Shoregals to just one field goal. It took a 33-32 lead with 3:55 left thanks to six unanswered points, with four of those coming in the final 15 seconds of the run. It started when Denni Lawrence split a pair of free throws, Batchik grabbed the rebound and put up a jumper. Melania Cornute forced a steal and was then sent to the free throw line on an intentional foul. She split the pair, but the Irish were not able to capitalize on the additional possession. Milligan ended the run with a layup at the 3:10 mark and Lawrence gave the Irish a 35-34 lead with 2:55 left off a jumper. St. Vincent-St. Mary then milked the clock, but Miller came up with a steal and gave Avon Lake a chance to take the lead in the final minute. However, the Shoregals turned it over on an offensive foul and Batchik made it 37-34 with a pair of free throws. The Irish fouled Avon Lake twice in the final 17.2 seconds to prevent it from getting off a 3-pointer, but on the third time the Shoregals schemed open Miller in the corner who had an open look that bounced off the rim. Milligan was there for the rebound, got fouled and missed both free throws, but Avon Lake retained possession when it forced a jump ball off the rebound with 6.6 seconds left. The Shoregals got Tobin a good look from three off the left wing, but it didn't go. "It was two really good teams battling and they made a couple more plays in the end," Appel said. "But I can't question our girls' effort, our toughness or competitiveness. We battled and fought the whole time. A couple of shots didn't fall and it kind of cost us in the end. But overall it was a good battle." Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X. St. Vincent-St. Mary 37, Avon Lake 34 AVON LAKE (34): Olivia Tobin 4-0-8, Izzie Polinko 0-0-0, Molly Milligan 3-0-6, Olivia Miller 3-2-8, Bre Jones 3-0-7, Evelyn Ritt 0-0-0, Alyssa Jones 2-0-5. Totals 15-2-34. SVSM (37): Melania Cornute 1-7-9, Kendal Batchik 1-2-4, Denni Lawrence 3-3-9, Sydney Ferguson 4-3-13, Tatum Smith 0-0-0, Laila Fleetwood 1-0-2, Jonna Albertson 0-0-0, Taylor Rodgers-Williams 0-0-0. Totals 10-15-37. Avon Lake&emsp;7&emsp;12&emsp;13&emsp;2&emsp;—&emsp;34 SVSM&emsp;11&emsp;7&emsp;9&emsp;10&emsp;—&emsp;37 Three-point goals: Avon Lake 2-16 (Alyssa Jones, Bre Jones), SVSM 2-9 (Ferguson 2). Field goals: Avon Lake 15-41 (37 percent), SVSM 10-32 (31 percent). Free throws: Avon Lake 2-4 (50 percent), SVSM 15-19 (74 percent). Rebounds: Avon Lake 26 (Olivia Miller 7), SVSM 22 (Ferguson 6). Total fouls: Avon Lake 15, SVSM 8. Turnovers: Avon Lake 13, SVSM 13. Junior varsity: Avon Lake, 33-27.