WHITEHOUSE: The Tinora Lady Rams will play for a District Title for the first time since 2010, as they advance to the Championship game with a 61-48 win over the Genoa Comets.

The Lady Rams, the #4 seed, came in off a thrilling Saturday win over Delta, while the #5 seeded Comets entered at 15–8, off an upset win over the #2 seeded Oak Harbor Rockets.

Tinora junior Nova Okuley, a First Team All-GMC selection, came out a blazing in the first eight minutes. She scored Tinora’s first five points as the Lady Rams grabbed an early 5-2 lead over the young, athletic Comets.
Eowyn Blanchard’s three gave Tinora a 10-5 lead after one.

The second stanza would see the Lady Rams lead cut to 12-11 on a deep three by Genoa’s Addisyn Moritz with 5:50 on the second quarter clock. Tinora coach Andrew Thiel asked for a timeout. He gave his Lady Rams basketball team direct instructions on the direction that was needed.

Tinora responded with great defensive pressure as the Lady Rams would grab an 18-11 lead on a Karli Okuley three pointer. Tinora extended the lead to 27-15 on another theee, this one by Eowyn Blanchard.

Nova Okuley’s shot was still dropping through the net into the second quarter as the Lady Rams lead was extended to a 29-16 lead at the half.

Nova led the Lady Rams with 16 first half points, while Genoa was led by Addisyn Moritz with six.

The first 90 seconds of the third quarter looked like the Tinora Lady Rams house of cards was about to crumble. The Comets of Genoa came out of the locker room and scored the first six points of the period in less than 30 seconds, those came off three straight Tinora turnovers, the Tinora lead was cut to 29-22 with 6:53 on the third quarter clock on a steal and bucket by Genoa’s Lucy Schlageter.

Coach Thiel again asked for a timeout, again he stressed to the Lady Rams to stay focused on the task at hand.

Tinora immediately responded, the Lady Rams would stop the Comets run as Addison Lee would get going in the second half as she hit a runner in the lane to break the Comets run.

Nova Okuley’s three from the top would give Tinora a 36-25 lead with just over five minutes on the third quarter clock. Addison Lee would follow with another Tinora three pointer, and just like that, Tinora led 39-25, and withstood the first wave from the talented Comets.

Tinora’s lead would grow the lead to as many as 21, 49-28, on two Addison Lee free throws with 50 seconds remaining in the third. Tinora would eventually take a 49-31 lead through three.

The second wave from Genoa came throughout the fourth period. Genoa would gradually shave point by point off the Tinora lead, eventually getting it down to as little as 50-38 with 4:21 on the fourth quarter clock.

After another coach Thiel timeout, the Lady Rams Julia Durfey would increase the Tinora lead to 54-39 on a drive with just over three minutes on the clock.

Genoa’s freshman Mekenna Moritz would hit a bucket and a foul shot, cutting the Tinora lead to 54-44 with 1:35 on the clock.

The Lady Rams defense would again come to the rescue, causing three straight turnovers against the Comets.

Genoa and coach Glenn Black’s strategy down the stretch was to get the Lady Rams to the line over the final 90 seconds. Tinora responded, bringing back home a 61-48 win over the Genoa Comets.

Another fantastic team win for Coach Thiel and the Lady Rams basketball team.

GENOA 5-11-15-17=49
TINORA 10-19-20-13=61

Genoa scoring: West 5, A Moritz 8, Schlageter 16, Combs 6. M Moritz 13

Tinora scoring: Lee 9, K Okuley 7, Blanchard 11, Creps 4, Durfey 4, N Okuley 24, Bailey 2

Three-point goals: Genoa 4-22 (A. Moritz 2, Combs, Schlageter)
Tinora 7-16 (N. Okuley 3, Blanchard 2, K. Okuley, Lee)
Rebounds: Genoa 43 (M. Moritz 14) Tinora 28 (K. Okuley 10)
Turnovers: Genoa 12 – Tinora 10

Genoa sees their season end at 15-9. The very young Comets have a very bright future.

Tinora will play Liberty Center on Saturday evening, back at Anthony Wayne High School, game time 6 pm.

The Tigers defeated the Lady Rams back on January, 39-22. This was the Lady Rams lowest output of the season.

Get out and make a Saturday evening of it, basketball, family, and food!

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Nova Okuley with her fantastic effort. Congratulations, Nova!

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