KNIGHTS GO ORANGE PICKING

By Ty Bartell

RAVENNA, Ohio — The Archbishop Hoban Knights girls basketball team delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Akron Ellet Lady Orangemen in the district semi-final with a resounding score of 86-38 on Wednesday night.
The victory marked a rematch from the regular season, where Hoban narrowly secured a road win against Ellet with a score of 49-45. However, in this crucial playoff matchup, Hoban wasted no time asserting dominance, launching into the game with a blistering 14-0 run.

Key contributors “Zig” Niera Stevens and Mackenzie Edingburgh spearheaded Hoban’s early onslaught, propelling the Knights to a commanding 23-8 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Hoban maintained their momentum into the second quarter, with Niera Stevens delivering a career-best performance, supported by Zoey Hodge, who emerged as the Knights’ “secret weapon” against Ellet. By halftime, Hoban had built a formidable 47-23 lead.
Entering the second half, the Knights showed no signs of letting up, intensifying their pressure on Ellet and effectively enforcing a running clock by the midway point of the third quarter. Outscoring their opponents 39-15 in the second half, Hoban sealed an emphatic 86-38 victory.

Standout performances from Niera Stevens and Zoey Hodge earned them the recognition of Players of the Game. Stevens recorded a career-high 28 points, while Hodge contributed a significant 18 points. Additionally, Mackenzie Edingburgh and Makenzie Grant added double-digit scores of 17 and 11 points, respectively, further solidifying the Knights’ dominance.

With the win, Archbishop Hoban (19-3) advances to pursue their fifth consecutive district championship. They are set to face off against the #8 seeded Medina Battling Bees (21-4) on Friday, March 1st at 7 p.m. The matchup will take place at Ravenna High School.
Fans can stay updated on Archbishop Hoban Knights basketball throughout the season, with live games, scores, stats, stories, and more available on YSN.