CUYAHOGA FALLS OH- The South Range Girls Basketball program made their fourth trip to the Cuyahoga Falls regional in seven seasons. The program was never able to win a game in the Tigers gym. The key to building a great program though is to keep going back to the atmosphere and eventually taking that next step. Wednesday night the Raiders took that step. They dominated the second half in route to a 47-25 win over Champion,

The Raiders could not have asked for a better start. They forced three straight turnovers that led to 6 points. This spurt really set the tone for the whole night. Champion was no slouch on defense either though. They forced the Raiders into a ton of turnovers. The Raiders led 13-9 after a turnover riddled frame from both teams. The story stayed the same throughout the second quarter. Both teams played solid defense and forced the other into uncharacteristic mistakes. The Raiders were only able to score eight points in the second quarter, but it was enough to maintain a five point lead at the break 21-16.

The third quarter is when the separation began for the Raiders. They kept holding the Flashes, and their offense made adjustments to get more points up. The Raiders outscored Champion 17-7 in the third to go up 38-23. Then in the fourth, the Raider defense was smothering, allowing just two points the whole frame. Defense definitely wrote the story for the Raiders impressive win. They only allowed nine total second half points. They also stayed away from foul trouble. They didn’t put Champion in the bonus in either half.

This is the first South Range basketball team boys or girls to go to the regional championship.

Izzy Lamparty led the Raiders with 20 points. Lexi Giles has a strong night as well finishing with 13.

South Range advances to play Elyria Catholic in the Regional Championship on Saturday at 1:00 at Cuyahoga Falls High School.