URGENT UPDATE: Elyria High School’s boys basketball team has halted Avon’s impressive seven-game winning streak with a decisive 78-64 victory on January 16, 2024. This win marks a significant rebound for Elyria following a disappointing loss to Berea-Midpark just days prior.
Elyria came out strong, establishing an early lead of 19-4, immediately showcasing their determination to reclaim their status in the Southwestern Conference (SWC). “We still had a nasty taste in our mouth from the last loss,” said Elyria guard Tink Shelton, who played a pivotal role in the game. “We wanted to come out and show them that we are still No. 1 in this conference.”
The Pioneers’ defense, led by Shelton’s seven points, four assists, two blocks, and three steals, kept Avon scoreless for the first four minutes of the match. Elyria coach Brett Larrick emphasized the team’s focus: “That first half might have been the most focused and locked in as we were in all areas.”
Despite being only 5-foot-5, Shelton was tasked with guarding Avon’s 6-3 All-Ohioan, Joey Ziegler, who managed to score 14 points but struggled to find his rhythm. “I thought Tink set a tone by making everything tough on Ziegler,” Larrick stated.
Elyria surged ahead with a commanding 44-21 lead by halftime, leaving Avon coach Mike Fitch acknowledging, “Elyria brought intention and physicality, and we backed down.”
A setback occurred when Elyria’s Jermiah Daniels injured his ankle midway through the first half. “Jermiah is a big piece of our team. When he went down, he told us to keep playing,” Shelton remarked. Despite this loss, Elyria maintained its momentum with strong contributions from players like Rondel Grimmett (15 points), Cam Bell (13 points), Seth Wilkerson (12 points), and Kendyll Compton (17 points, eight rebounds).
Grimmett’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he turned a quiet first half into a robust second half by scoring ten points. He remarked, “When you get those numbers, that is a lot of contributions.”
With this victory, Elyria improves to 10-3 overall and 5-2 in the SWC, while Avon falls to 9-2 and 4-3 in the conference. This loss marks a pivotal moment for Avon, as it was their first defeat in nearly a month.
Looking ahead, Elyria is set to face Olmsted Falls again on January 20, hoping to avenge their earlier loss of 76-63. Meanwhile, Avon will host North Ridgeville on the same day, as Fitch stated, “It is one loss. It is basketball. You lose games. We are still 9-2, and we still have a game Tuesday.”
Elyria’s emphatic win over Avon not only showcases their resilience but also reshapes the SWC title race, making this matchup a must-watch for basketball fans.
