Laurel's thrilling win over Bellevue for state title

Ohio Ms. Baskeball finalist Tristan Williams scores on an open layup over Mazie Gracemyer (32) and Ava Jakubcin-Theis of Bellevue. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

DAYTON, Ohio - The day came after two grueling games in the OHSAA girls state championship, in which Shaker Heights Laurel took home the trophy, defeating defending state champion Bellevue 60-58.

"First ever state championship, I mean they earned this one all the hard work that these girls put in over the last three, four years for some of them, and to see it all pay off today," said head coach David Meyer.

In a game filled with numerous lead changes, it was an epic showdown for dominance. Bellevue began strong, with Kaitlyn Turnisky and Mazie Gracemyer making shots at the basket, while Carrington Savage scored from long range. 

Leading 11-6 with 1:29 left, they would begin to let the lead slip away as the Ohio Ms. Basketball finalists began to catch fire. They would tie the game up with less than a minute left, but Sydnee Robinson would score on a layup with 12 seconds left in the period, leading 14-12. 

In the second quarter, Bellevue's Ava Jakubcin-Theis would get more involved in the game from the free-throw line as she became more aggressive. A trio of scores came from Turnisky and Savage as those buckets would put them in the lead at quarter's end, 30-24. 

After halftime, Laurel surged, scoring 21 points in the 3rd quarter, led by Jordyn Meyer, who scored 10 of her 26 points in this period. Bellevue would not go away because they kept the game close. Meyers last two shots were a two-point layup and a 3-point shot that gave them the lead 45-44 at the end of the 3rd quarter. 

With the final game for both teams at stake, it turned into a total gamble since neither team led by more than three points throughout the period, exchanging baskets until the last minute determined the Division IVstate championship. Tristan Williams scored two free throws with just 4 seconds remaining in regulation, putting the score at 60-58 and securing the win. 

Meyer finished with 26 points, as Williams finished with 19 for the game, and the scenario for both the semifinals and the championship was something she will surely remember. "Yesterday meant a lot, but today meant even more," said Williams. 

 

This would be Laurel's first-ever girls' state basketball title for the program. 

This article is presented by The Ross Real Estate Group-KW Legacy Group and Grip Spritz, Traction Mat & Court Mop.