The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Bulldogs have weekend to remember
After Olmsted Falls stunned Berea-Midpark in the Bagley Cup and shook up the Southwestern Conference, it continued to ride the wave of its recent success.
On Feb. 17, the Bulldogs defeated North Olmsted, 58-34, to cap off a week of undefeated basketball, an improvement from their 1-7 start.
“We have been playing with great energy, awareness and effort. Rebounding has been elite. It causes problems and fatigues teams with this energy,” Olmsted Falls Coach Chris DeLisio said.
Fresh off a 21-point, 20-rebound double-double against Berea-Midpark, Dylan Foulkes scored a team-high 13 points. He also grabbed six rebounds.
“Throughout the first half of the season, we weren’t really doing that well, record-wise. Now we
THE SCORE OLMSTED FALLS 58, NORTH OLMSTED 34
are finally pulling them out. That has definitely added to our confidence, going into the next week,” Foulkes said.
Foulkes scored six straight points for Olmsted Falls to extend its lead in the third quarter.
Olmsted Falls endured multiple close games, many in the past resulted in losses. In the last five games, its record was 3-1 in games decided by two possessions or less.
“We are hustling on every play, diving on the ball and taking charges. Every little play matters. I feel like that (mindset) can help us win more games,” Olmsted Falls Ryan Raich said.
DeLisio was unsure how the light bulb went off for his team, but was happy as long as it produced wins.
“I think our mentality in how we play (is different). We are able to be calm under pressure. Obviously, that comes with experience with guys. I think that has played a big role in (our success),” DeLisio said.
North Olmsted kept up with Olmsted Falls to trail, 11-8, in the first quarter. The Bulldogs went on a 14-3 run to lead, 30-19, at halftime. From that point on, the Bulldogs cruised to victory.
“North Olmsted posed some problems for us, coming in where they shoot the basketball. We had to adjust a little bit on how we typically play defense. I was proud of our guys for making that adjustment,” DeLisio said.
Foulkes may have led the team in scoring, but Raich was right behind with 10 points and a pair of 3-pointers. Nate Ryan also contributed with nine points and Mason Cerovac scored eight.
Olmsted Falls improved to 6-14, and has won three games in a row.
“This (stretch of games) really helps going into the playoffs, because it gives us a little boost, so that we might make a run in the playoffs,” Raich said.
The Bulldogs will play its regular season finale against Midview (Feb. 2). Prior to Midview’s 57-51 double-overtime loss to Elyria, it won six of its last eight games. DeLisio expects a challenge from an improved team that defeated Olmsted Falls, 5544, the first time.
“(Midview) has really caused us a lot of problems last time,” DeLisio said. “(Midview Coach Jim Brabenec) is doing a fantastic job with his team. It is a very difficult style to adjust to. They will zone you up and make you work for every basket. They have size, which creates problems for teams that do not have size.”
North Olmsted dropped its ninth game in a row for a 6-14 record. The Eagles will play Clearview on Feb. 20.
Juelz Santiago was the Eagles top scorer with 12 points.