Defense leads Hudson girls basketball to rout of North Royalton
Offensive balance and productivity are coming to the forefront for an unselfish Hudson girls basketball team.
Some outstanding defense also came into play when the Explorers moved to 2-2 overall with a convincing 57-35 home win over North Royalton in the Suburban League National Conference opener Dec. 1.
Fueled by a huge first half lead of 41-11, the Lady Explorers held North Royalton to just 13 total field goals in the win.
“We are really getting better and learning from each other,” said head coach Dennis Lawler.
Everyone got involved as the defense created opportunities.
Senior forward Constance Loring had a team-high 11 points, but the scoring was spread out as Lawler emptied his bench.
Guard Ali Menendez excelled as the senior netted eight points, senior forward Delaney DiGeronimo hit a pair of 3-pointers and had six points, and sophomore guard Madi Kordos hit a triple and finished with five points.
Adding four points were senior guard Paige Albrecht, junior guard Rebecca Stitzel, junior forward Emma Hileman, junior forward Gracie Merrick, and sophomore center Kara Lightner.
Also making a 3-pointer was sophomore guard Ella Kordos, plus senior center Moira Ackerman and junior center Aurora Rothgerber each added a hoop.
Hudson captured a 68-61 non-league win on the road at Willoughby South (1-2) Nov. 29. A strong lead was negated by South early in the third quarter and the Explorers grabbed it back.
“We really had some great stops and great offensive possessions in the fourth quarter when they were needed,” said Lawler.
A balanced attack saw Loring lead Hudson with 14 points, DiGeronimo had 13 points, and Lightner had one of her best offensive games with 12 points.
Loring had an incredible floor game and earned praise from Lawler along with Lightner, who registered a double-double and career highs of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Loring pulled down 10 caroms, dished out seven assists and had four steals.
“I thought we got off to a very good start, but need to figure out how to sustain that momentum better,” offered Lawler.
Menendez added 11 points, Hileman 10, and Merrick had eight points.
“To have five girls in double figures really shows what we are capable of doing,” stressed Lawler. “We have weapons and they just have to keep believing in each other and everyone doing their part to be successful. We have to keep trying to improve every day and learn to love the process.”
DiGeronimo buried three 3-pointers while Hileman and Menendez each canned two triples.
“Our rebounding was tremendous as we had 46 rebounds and I loved how we shared the ball with 19 assists on 26 field goals,” said Lawler. “I felt it was really good to see that.”
South was paced by guard Delaney Matriano’s 17 points, guard Alyssa Tekavec with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and forward Emma Woolnough, who had 12 points and two triples.
In upcoming league action, Hudson hosts Stow-Munroe Falls Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., plays at Twinsburg Dec. 11 at 2:30 p.m. and hosts Wadsworth Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Defense leads Hudson girls basketball to rout of North Royalton
