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.

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)