Rootstown no match for the physical Columbus Grove Bulldogs in state title game

 

(Columbus Grove player in scum with Cloe Bengtson. Photo: Chuck Cordes - Ohsfmedia.com)

DAYTON, Oh--Columbus Grove starting one senior carved their way into history gaining a decisive win over the one loss Rootstown Rovers en route to the division VI state title 

The Bulldogs physicalness has shut down the cornerstone of the Rover offense Nadia Lough, in the first half she was held to 2 points and 1 for 5 shooting from the field and was not fast enough to keep up with the pace of Columbus Grove.

The backcourt of Grove with lone senior lauryn Auchmuty and  junior Ruth Meyers combined for 5 Steals and won most of the 50-50 battles. 

Grove had 20 point lead by the third quarter with 5:05 left holding a 44-22 lead very steady as Rootstown inability to stop the bleeding.

By the end of the third quarter two Rover players had gone into the locker room for evaluation.

"This is tough" said Rootstown Head Coach Joe Leonard.

(Aubrey Schroeder diving for loose ball. Photo: Chuck Cordes - Ohsfbmedia.com)

Elliott Smallfield tried to keep them at least within range of not going over 30 points with 10 points heading into the bottom of fourth quarter with 3:57 left and over 20 minutes of play.

Nicole Nesby was magnificent on the boards hauling in 14 and giving them second chance opportunities with her relentless play around the rim. 

"I thought we did a really good job of starting out fast," said Schroeder.

"Just playing one on one, Nicole did a good job of cleaning the boards,"  said Schroeder when asked about Nicole Nesby performance on the boards who ended with 16 boards and 13 points.

Columbus Grove returns everyone but the lone senior Lauryn Auchmuty, this team is another team that could be back in Dayton with this aggressive style of play.