CLIPPERS MAKE THEMSELVES CHAMPIONS IN THE SECTIONALS

By Joe Eusebio 

COLUMBIANA OH- The Columbiana Lady Clippers added a Sectional Title to their EOAC Tri Championship Saturday afternoon when they defeated Champion 39-34.  It was a tight game the entire way with Champion jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the early going on three point shots from Kayla Haynie and Kennedy Caldwell.  The Clippers responded by going on an 8-0 run with four points a piece from juniors Ellie Venezia and Averi Marshall to close the first quarter with an 8-6 lead.  Megan Moser’s three pointer late in the 2nd quarter helped Columbiana to take a 17-11 lead into the locker room at the half.

Champion senior Bella Meyer’s five points and junior Addie Warzala hitting on 4 of 4 from the charity stripe got the Flashes back into it in the third.  Columbiana had five players contributing points in the third, led by Evy Rapp’s 4 points and Ava Heinrich going 3-5 on free throws and the Clips took a 30-25 lead into the fourth quarter.  It was more of the same in the fourth quarter as the Flashes were unable to cut into the Clippers lead despite three pointers from Haynie and Meyer.  Columbiana’s Marshall went 4-6 from the line down the stretch with a big free throw from senior Alaina Johnston ultimately putting the game out of reach.

On the day, the Flashes were led by Kayla Haynie’s 11 points.  Junior Bella Meyer contributed 9 points, 5 Rebounds and 2 Blocks.   Columbiana’s Avery Marshall had 14 points and 5 rebounds while Ellie Venezia filled up the score sheet with 9 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and one block.  Champion closed their season with a record of 18-6 while the Clippers head to Struthers on Wednesday night for a District Semifinal game against Wooster Triway.