GENEVA—Edgewood trailed for most of its Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division showdown at Geneva but pulled ahead in the fourth quarter and went on to win, 57-48.
The host Eagles held a 38-37 lead entering the fourth quarter but that advantage didn’t last long as Edgewood’s McKenna Vencill scored and converted an and-one to start the fourth.
“We didn’t get the look we wanted with the set, McKenna just made a play,” said Edgewood head coach Randy Vencill. “That really helped propel us to start the quarter.”
Edgewood outscored Geneva, 20-10, in the final period using momentum found in the closing moments of the third quarter.
“Our defense was active in the third quarter,” Coach Vencill said. “We started tipping passes and getting our hands on the ball. Once you know we’re engaged defensively, you know good things are going to happen.”
McKenna Vencill led all scorers with 21 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter including the go-ahead basket to start the period.
Katie McCollister posted 14 points with 11 in the second half to spark the comeback.
“They’re both seniors and we expect them to step up like that,” Coach Vencill said. “Katie gave 110 percent, McKenna came off the bench with foul trouble and gave us some key buckets.”
Annie Johnston and Leigh Guyton scored nine and eight points respectively. Faith Vencill pitched in with three points and Carly Kray finished with two.
Geneva opened the game on fire from behind the arc as the Eagles drained four first-half 3-pointers on the way to a 26-23 halftime lead.
The Warriors regrouped and did what they had to do to remain unbeaten.
“It was a total team effort tonight,” said Coach Vencill of his squad. “We always write the word ‘execute’ on the board pregame; we executed well tonight.”
With the win, Edgewood improved to 14-0 overall and 9-0 in league play.
“It means everything,” Coach Vencill said. “These girls work hard every day. To see the fruit of their labor means everything.”
Geneva dropped to 12-3 overall and 5-3 in the Lake Division with the loss but is still in the upper echelons of the conference standings.
“I didn’t have to question our heart and our hustle tonight, that’s important to this program,” said Geneva head coach Emily Vossers. “We just made a few mental mistakes; I tell the team we need to play for four quarters.”
Brooke Richmond finished with a team-high 20 points, connecting on five 3-pointers. Delaney Marrison posted 11 points and Emily Buck had 10 points.
Geneva was short Tahkyah Meyers, forcing others to become the primary ball-handler.
“It’s been putting them in uncomfortable positions that they’ve learned to grow into,” Vossers said. “That’s how to grow as a basketball player, they’ve been handling it well and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Lexie Besco and Moharrah Jackson scored four and three points respectively for Geneva.
Better days are on the horizon with players stepping into bigger roles and thriving, while also getting healthy in the near future.
“My confidence is sky-high moving forward,” Vossers said. “I think this team is really starting to jell at the right time.”
Edgewood will visit Lakeside on Saturday while Geneva travels to Harvey.
