GIRLS SCHEDULE: Regional results, pairings
The victory before a near-capacity crowd launches Alter (26-2) into the D-II state final four for the fourth consecutive season. Alter will play unbeaten Ottawa Glandorf in the D-II state semifinals at 1 p.m. Thursday at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center in Columbus. It’s a rematch of their 2016 state title game in which Alter overwhelmed Glandorf 74-48.
Glandorf (30-0) advanced by beating Norton 56-23 in its regional final.
BOYS SCHEDULE: District finals, regional pairings
As usual, Alter was led in scoring by Braxtin Miller with 20 points and Bazelak’s 17. Alter quickly asserted itself and left Carroll wondering what might have been. Alter swept both Greater Catholic League Co-Ed North Division regular-season matchups, but just 32-31 in the second game between the rivals.
“Their composure was just great,” said Carroll senior Amanda Schroeder, who led the Patriots with 14 points. “They never let up. It was our first time playing in an atmosphere like this. That’s hard when they’ve been doing it for four years. They have two superstars that really carry their team.”
ON THE REBOUND: Carroll regroups around Grosselin
Carroll (23-5) was guided by first-year coach Cecilia Grosselin, a veteran assistant who succeeded former Patriots coach Rob Berry after he succumbed to cancer last summer. His loss wrapped this season with special meaning for the Patriots. Carroll had last played in a regional final in 2013, losing to Chaminade Julienne.
“They’re a special group to me and I’m going to miss them,” said Grosselin, blinking back tears. “They are very close and a lot of it has to do with Rob’s passing. They were forced to come together and make the best out of the season. I would have never dreamed at the beginning of the year that we would make this run and get as far as we did. We’ve been blessed as a team and I’m proud of them.”
ALTER, CARROLL: Back together again after taking out Tipp, Independence
Sydney Ingram added eight points for Carroll, which never could get its offense untracked. Nicole Hoeflinger and Olivia Gillis added six points apiece for Alter.
Alter coach Chris Hart sensed the Knights would be in for an emotional challenge against the Patriots.
“They took over in a tough situation and they got those kids to play hard and at a great level all year,” she said. “That’s scary coming into a regional final, especially because it’s a rival school and we know each other so well. You put it all together and you just never know. But our kids were focused and determined and were not going to be denied.”
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• Versailles (24-3) plays unbeaten Cincinnati Summit Country Day (27-0) in a D-III girls regional final at 1 p.m. Saturday at Springfield. An area team is assured of making the D-IV state final four because Jackson Center (22-4) plays Minster (24-2) in a regional final at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Vandalia-Butler.
In D-I, it’s Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (23-4) vs. Mason (23-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Fairmont’s Trent Arena.
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