Olmsted Falls wins first girls basketball state title with win over Springboro in OHSAA Division I championship
DAYTON, Ohio - The second time in the state championship game was better than the first for Olmsted Falls, who came away with its first state title by defeating Springboro 52-45 on Saturday night at the University of Dayton Arena.
"This is really amazing, I am so happy for the players," Olmsted Falls head coach Jordan Eaton said. "And I am so happy for all the players who came before because they set this up."
Danielle Cameron, who knocked down six 3-pointers in a loss in the state championship game last year, hit four in this one, but none bigger than with 2:39 remaining in the game and the Bulldogs leading 41-38.
Maddie Cerovac found a wide open Cameron between the left wing and the corner and the lefty let it fly with her perfect form, giving Olmsted Falls a 44-38 lead.
"My teammates just try to kick it out and get open shots," Cameron said. "That's what we do. We takes shots when we are open, we don't take them when we aren't open. Just shoot with confidence."
Then it was up to Olmsted Falls to make its free throws. The Bulldogs did just that, as Cameron, Emma Schafer, Jesse Simon, and Jessica Wolanin combined to go 10-of-12 from the charity stripe in the final 2:08.
"I was really happy with how we shot free throws down the stretch," Eaton said. "You have to make free throws to win big games."
Cameron led the way for the Bulldogs with 17 points, while Schaefer and Simon each added six.
Bryn Martin of Springboro, who scored a Division I state tournament record 38 points in the semifinals, led all scorers with 22 points.
After an ice-cold start from the floor where the Bulldogs missed their first 11 shots from the field and digging themselves into a 9-2 hole, they shot 6-of-12 for the remainder of the first half and went on an 18-8 run to take a 20-17 lead at halftime.
"Our kids did a good job of just keeping even keel," Eaton said. "We know it is a long game."
Olmsted Falls players celebrate with the student section after winning the OHSAA girls basketball Division I state title on March 16, 2024.
Ryan Isley, SBLive Sports
The catalyst of the run was Cameron, who scored eight points in 35 seconds by hitting a 3-pointer, stealing the ballon the ensuing possession and going for a layup and then on the next possession, she grabbed a defensive rebound and went up the floor and hit another 3-pointer.
When asked how much better this feeling was than the one the Bulldogs left with a season ago, Cameron was quick to answer.
"It's amazing," Cameron said. "We are going out with smiles instead of tears. There is no other way that ypu would rather end your high school career."
-- Ryan Isley | ryan@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveoh
