By Bill Bray
LAKE–The metaphor has been used several times this season, and here we go again. The Fremont Ross Lady Giants (22-3) are a team of Destiny. Two reasons, first the team gained their first District title in the 48-year history of the program and second The Little Giants’ point guard Destiny Robinson canned 32 points in the 51-42 victory.
It was a nip and tuck game as both teams used strong defenses along the way. The Lady Generals used 14 points from Elisa Bender during first quarter action as they build a 19-15 lead over the first eight minutes.
The Lady Giants were playing tight during first quarter action as the excitement and playing for a district championship had the butterflies floating. But over the next three quarters Anthony Wayne’s Bender was held to 13 points by a tough, hard-nosed Ross defense led by Janiah Holmes, Abby Cahill, Carma Johnson, Lyndi Wolf and Robinson.
By the end of the second quarter, Ross took a 31-28 lead to the locker room. The Ross defense allowed the Lady Generals just nine points during the quarter. Ross was able to hit for 16 second period points to help them to the lead. “I knew, as tight as we played in the first quarter, and still only down four, that we had them,” an elated coach Juan Vela said.
Both teams came out struggling the third period. Ross was led by Robinson’s five points as they could muster only seven points during the quarter. Anthony Wayne struggled as well with turnovers and a strong Fremont defense. Ross held a four-point advantage after three at 38-34.
As in most high school games, the foul line was important in the fourth quarter, and it proved to be Fremont’s friend. The Giants made sure down the stretch that Robinson had the ball in her hands. She was fouled on five different occasions. The foul line is somewhere Robinson likes to be as she sank nine of 10 charity stripe attempts. With each make, it drove the Ross lead higher and higher. So, 11 of Robinson’s 32 came over the final eight minutes. Along with the foul shots made, the Ross defense stepped it up even further as Anthony Wayne did not score over the final 1:23 of the game.
Besides Robinson’s 32, Janiah Holmes added nine tough points from close to the hoop. She and Bender were tangling thing up most of the game. Lyndi Wolf added eight including an important three point shot during second quarter action.
Fremont Ross, with their first-ever district crown, takes the momentum into a regional semifinal game at Sandusky High School Tuesday. The Giants will be facing Olmstead Falls (22-3) in a 6:00pm game at the home of the Blue Streaks.
Lady Giants leadership talk strategy during fourth quarter moment.
Janiah Holmes found herself in a tangled up mess during first quarter action.
Anthony Wayne might have their General, but Fremont Ross has OUR “BIG NUT”
The Generals tried everything to make Destiny Robinson’s game uncomfortable but the talented junior exploded for 32 points.
As the game wore on, Abby Cahill’s defense was second to none.
Carma Johnson waits for the play to develop.
Destiny Robinson tries to make her way to the hoop during third period action.
Janiah Holmes takes a quick look at the scoreboard during a Fremont timeout.