By: BHS Sports Staff
February 16, 2023
Last night, the Brooklyn Hurricanes hosted the Independence Blue Devils in the first round of the OHSAA state playoffs.
The Lady Canes were the 11-seed coming into this matchup, and the Lady Blue Devils were the 13-seed, so this matchup was perfect for prime time. Both teams split the season series, 1-1. The most recent matchup between these two teams was played at Independence two weeks ago where the Lady Canes were defeated, 47-34.
Coach Jon Holko and the Lady Canes had the perfect game-plan and came into this game confident, and the Student Section was filled with “Beat Indy” shirts. The atmosphere was electric!
Brooklyn started by winning the tip-off, but Independence managed to recover the ball for the first points of the game. The Blue Devils had multiple turnovers thanks to a tenacious Brooklyn defense, and the Lady Canes used this to their advantage as senior Shariah Gailes scored the first basket and shortly after recorded an And-1 bucket to tie the game at 4-4. Fellow senior Genesis Caraballo later hit a three-pointer and was fouled, completing the four-point play. Independence, though, quickly bounced back to regain the lead at 10-8 as the first period concluded.
The Lady Canes started off the second quarter with another Caraballo three pointer, but Independence went on a 7-0 run to take a 17-11 lead. The Lady Canes needed a response as they trailed by six, and they did just that with a layup and a big three-pointer to cut the deficit to one. This caused Independence to call a timeout with the score being 17-16. The stoppage in play did not stop the Lady Canes’ momentum because with collective team effort, they took a 28-21 lead with just seconds to go before halftime. A miracle buzzer-beater for the visitors gave the hosts a 28-23 lead with half of the game in the books.
All game, Brooklyn’s and Independence’s student sections went back and forth, so when the girls came out of the locker room, fans from both teams were fired up and ready to see how this clash unfolded.
Coming into the third quarter, Independence looked like they had early momentum, but Brooklyn quickly shut down any chance of momentum with several free throws and a steal/layup from senior Delaney David to give the Lady Canes a 35-25 lead. Gailes then hit a driving layup to respond to a previous bucket from Independence. The Lady Canes were getting it done inside; however, the Blue Devils ended the period with a mini 5-0 run. After three, Brooklyn led 37-32.
The final quarter: Who had eight minutes left with effort and execution? Answer: The Lady Canes!
Gailes scored right away, and the stifling defense held the Blue Devils in check. The Lady Canes ran a very patient, motion offense and hit timely baskets, including an And-1 from sophomore Jade Riedel. When the final buzzer rang, the gym erupted with the Lady Canes defeating their rival by a score of 49-37.
Brooklyn knocked Independence out of the playoffs and ultimately won the season series, 2-1. Gailes led with 21 points, Caraballo had 11, and David added 10.
What a great team win for the Lady Canes in front of an electric crowd.
The Lady Canes will now advance to the sectional final and travel to Keystone High School to take on the Lady Wildcats this Saturday, February 18. Tip-off is at 1:00.
Travel out to Keystone to watch our Lady Canes attempt to earn a district birth.
Go Canes!
{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 