Canton South Lady Wildcats win overtime thriller to capture district title
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| (Gene Simmons - Ohsfbmedia.com) |
In a back and forth contest, where it seemed it was a tennis match instead of a high school basketball game, this title is worth its weight in gold.
After winning the opening tip Crestview took control, opening up in a full court zone press that would cause problems for the Wildcats as turnovers would become a problem and shots would not drop.
Both teams had not settled into their offense as they would end the first quarter only scoring 13 points collectively with the Rebels up 8-5.
In the second quarter we would see a surge in scoring as both teams would go on runs, Canton South a 9-0 run that would put them ahead by five 14-8 off two three point shots by Doriana Hastings-Peterson and Ansley Horning.
Crestview would answer going on a 14-0 run lead by star Addison Rhodes who scored 11 first half points finishing with 21, with help from Luvrain Gaskins and the feisty Brianna DiCross taking a 22-14 lead into the locker room.
Final from Woodridge High School @OHSAASports Div. V District Final.
— Ohio High School Football/Basketball Media (@OHSFBMedia) February 23, 2025
Canton South Lady Wildcats 46@CS_GirlsHoops
vs.
Columbiana Crestview 42
OT@SummeSoFine 18 pts
Doriana Hastings-Peterson 12 pts
Canton South Lady Wildcats District 🏆 pic.twitter.com/QI1CX7Gyty
Wildcats would come out the half with a surge, as they out score the Rebels off the defense and scoring of Summer Hastings-Peterson who had only scored from the free throw line during the first half, she would score six straight points to a 16-5 quarter that would end with South's Aniyah Hall hitting a buzzer 3 pointer to end the quarter leading 30-27.
Late in the fourth quarter, with a back and forth sequence of plays and lead changes, big shots by Addie Rhodes, the game would end in a tie 37-37 of regulation play, off a clutch three point shot by Doriana Hastings-Peterson that would send the game into overtime.
"We weren't ready to lose," said Doriana Hastings-Peterson.
In Overtime, South's Madison Gordon opened up the scoring a 2-point shot that would tie it up at 39-39 then a fast break layup score then a steal on the inbound by Summer Hastings-Peterson would put the dagger in Crestview putting them in a four point hole to climb out of.
Crestview would not go away scoring a three point bucket by Ava Bucey trailing 42-44 with :18 left in the game but nothing would stop South from capturing the Division V district title walking off a four point win.
"We knew we weren't going home without the win and we did what we had to do to get the win," Summer Hastings-Peterson said.
South head coach Walt Cerrato was very excited, South had not won a district title in many years, "Just to be able to share this moment with the girls, to see them experience this, our community, family and friends we will always share this memory."
South will move on to play in the Division V Regional semi-final as Crestview ends their season 21-4.
**coverage was assisted with Chuck Cordes**