Alter, seeking its third consecutive title in girls basketball, withstood a furious second half charge by #1-ranked Ottawa-Glandorf to advance to Saturday’s championship round.
Columbus – In the opening game of the 2017 girls state tournament the two-time defending champion Alter Knights ran into a buzz saw, struggling with the #1-seeded (28-0) Ottawa-Glandorf Titans before pulling away for a
Trailing 19-17 at the half, the Knights immediately went on a 12-4 run to open the third quarter, establishing a comfortable lead, and forcing the #-ranked Titans to scramble and improvise. With the lead in hand, Alter settled into ball-control mode, tried to milk the clock and every possible possession…and tried to put the game into cruise control.
Ottawa would have nothing of it.
They went on a 10-2 of their own, cutting the lead to 39-36 with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter. A minute later Lexi Schroeder hit a three from the deep corner to tie the game at 41-41. On their final possession Alter attempted to hold the ball for the last shot, but the ball was stolen by Erin Kaufman for Ottawa-Glandorf whose half-court shot at the buzzer caromed off the rim. Overtime!
In the overtime period Alter outscored Ottawa, 9-2, with Braxton Miller and Olivia Gillis’ s points in the extra period sealing the win for the Knights. Final score…Alter 50, Ottawa-Glandorf 43.
Alter improves to 27-2, O-G closes the year at 27-1.
Alter shot 50% from the floor (18 of 36) and 60% from three-point range (6 of 10).
Ottawa-Glandorf shot 42% from the floor, overall, and 4 of 11 from behind the arc (4 of 11).
The Knights seek their third consecutive state title on Saturday, facing the the winner of the Hathaway-Brown and Miami Trace game.
OG Erin Kaufman sprints upcourt with a steal. Her halfcourt shot at the buzzer in regulation was no good.
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Ottawa's Kylie White reacts to an elbow in the eye in Thursday's loss to Alter in the Division III semi-final round. (Press Pros Feature Photos By Sonny Fulks)