By HUNTER O. LYLE
DUKE CENTER, PA – After two years away from the throne, the Otto-Eldred girl’s basketball team finally returned to the top, beating Coudersport 62-20 to secure their third North Tier League title in five years.
Ahead of their regular season finale, the Lady Terrors took time to honor their seniors, who would be stepping onto their home hardwood for the final first time. Walking out into the Terror Dome surrounded by family, friends and fans, was team manager Peyton Bickford, Leah Burrows – who has been sidelined all season due to injury – and Lexi Prince.
“Peyton is one of the best managers we’ve ever had. She knows how to do everything and can probably do three or four things at once. Leah kind of became an assistant coach. She’ll say things to me on the bench this year, just little suggestions and things and kind of lets me know what’s going on with the kids,” said Otto-Eldred head coach Shawn Gray. “Lexi’s been here since day one. She didn’t play a whole lot as a freshman, obviously we had a senior-laden class that won a District title, but she was there. We’re really going to miss her around the team for sure.”
After the celebration, the night kicked off with a ceremonial score from Burrows, who put her name in the scorebooks for the first time. O-E then returned the favor, allowing Coudy to put in two points, and then it was off to the races, literally.
The Lady Terrors wasted no time switching gears from fiesta to ferocity and it started with pesky hands in the passing lane. After Prince pulled down an offensive board and fed Kayla Edminster for the first real basket of the game, the Lady Terrors’ iron-clad defense stripped the Lady Falcons relentlessly, coming away with three quick steals and six points in transition. While Coudy managed to tack on a scattered score here and there, they were no match for the tidal wave of Blue and Gold streaming against them.
Forcing six first-quarter turnovers, pulling down countless rebounds on both sides of the court and splashing home a pair of 3-pointers, O-E ended the first eight minutes of play on a 15-0 run. Building a 23-6 lead entering the second quarter, their streak would swell to 26 unanswered points as Coudy continued struggling to hold onto the ball.
The Lady Falcons ultimately broke their seven and a half minute scoring drought with just under six minutes remaining in the half, but could not find a way to tie on a tourniquet on defense. Meanwhile, O-E swiftly began rotating in their reserves. As a group that has had plenty of playing time during the Lady Terrors’ dominating performances over the season, O-E’s second line carried them to a 37-10 advantage at the break.
“We’ve had some serious leaps. Tori Bickford has made a big, big jump, especially in the last month or so. Kayla Edminster, our sixth girl, doesn’t play JV anymore because we need her so much on the varsity side. She’s gotten so much better,” said Gray on their bench’s development. “Tessa Johnson, a freshman, has probably improved the most if I’m being honest and then Emily Rounsville does all the little stuff that doesn’t show up in box scores. We’re excited for what’s to come this year and down the road. It looks bright for O-E for a while.”
Swapping back to their starting line up to begin the third, the Lady Terrors onslaught carried on unabated. With flashes of a full-court-press, O-E’s relentless defense robbed Coudy’s possessions over and over, leading to constant points in the open court. Even when giving up on the first-look or easy shots, the Lady Terrors’ smooth ball and player movement continuously opened up the offense and spaced the court. As they once again pulled from their bench, O-E allowed just a single Coudy basket as they built a 45-point advantage with one quarter to go.
Through the final eight minutes of play, Coudy and the Lady Terrors swapped scores as reserves battled reserves. However, the inevitable outcome was all but certain and with the final buzzer, the Lady Terrors had ascended once again, earning the league’s top honor.
“We’re right where we’re supposed to be. I got a talented group of kids so, if they didn’t turn out to be NTL champions, I’d be the person to blame for sure,” said Gray, whose team ended 15-1 in league play. “They work their tails off. There’s a couple of them that I’m going to really miss when I’m gone. But we’re right back where we should be.”
While Prince led the seniors with seven points, Baylee Francis led all scorers with 21, also collecting six steals, four rebounds and four assists. Rayel Hakes also reached double-digit scoring with 11, while Jahden Smith ended with six points, three rebounds and three steals in the win.
With the dust of the regular season still settling, the Lady Terrors now turn their attention towards a pair of brackets. First, they will enter the North Tier League tournament, now in it’s third year, as they look to solidify their grip upon the league for good. Their first game will be on Wednesday against either Cameron County or Northern Potter, moving on with a win to play in Saturday’s championship. Beyond that, they await the final seedings for the District 9 Class A playoffs, where they hope to be within the top three in the standings.
“It’s the third year they’ve had the NTL Tournament and we’ve never won it, so that was a goal as the season progressed. We might as well get there and win that tournament,” said Gray, “and then our ultimate goal is to get back as District 9 champions. That’s what you play for in these small areas, these small schools and I think we’ve got a shot. I really do.”
AT DUKE CENTER
Coudersport (20)
Haggard 4 0-0 9, Sherry 2 0-0 4, Merreudu 1 0-0 3, Wahlers 1 0-0 2, Lehmon 1 0-0 2. Totals: 9 0-0 9
Otto-Eldred (62)
Francis 9 1-1 21, Hakes 5 0-0 11, Prince 2 1-2 7, Smith 3 0-0 6, Edminster 3 0-0 6, Van Scoter 2 0-0 4, Burrows 1 0-0 2, Bickford 1 0-0 2, Irons 1 0-0 2, Prescott 0 1-2 1. Totals: 27 3-5 62
Coudersport 6 10 12 20
Otto-Eldred 23 37 51 62
Three-point goals: CD (2) Haggard, Merreudu, O-E (5) Prince 2, Francis 2, Hakes; Total fouls: CD 4, O-E 2; Fouled out: None.
JV: Otto-Eldred 23, Coudersport 22
