When shots aren’t falling, one standout on the court can be the difference between winning and losing.
To quote Rocky River coach Jamie Pfahl, Pirates guard Ava Patti is “cold-blooded.”
Jan. 23, she hit the big shots when needed for the Pirates to come away with a 32-31 win over Avon Lake.
“I always described (Patti) as a cold-blooded winner. She knows how to win and knows how to finish. She is awesome,” Pfahl said.
In a defensive slugfest, she scored nine of Rocky River’s 11 points in the fourth quarter as they once trailed, 28-24, before the Pirates’ 8-3 run to close the game.
Patti and Bondar exchange 3s late in the fourth quarter. Shoremen lead 31-30.@MJournalSports @RRCSActivities @AvonLakeSports pic.twitter.com/alluSBQZyQ
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) January 24, 2023
“(Patti) has been hitting those shots since fourth grade,” Pfahl said. “It was funny because it was our youth night. She has been hitting those game-winning shots her whole life. That is who you want the ball (to go to late in games).”
In the dying minutes of regulation, Patti made the go-ahead basket to take a 32-31 lead, which was also followed by critical stops at the end.
Patti gets the go-ahead basket to lead 32-31 late in Q4.@MJournalSports @RRCSActivities @AvonLakeSports pic.twitter.com/70I0J5CROm
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) January 24, 2023
“I kind of just blacked out until the very end,” she said. “I remember thinking that the ball was going (off the rim). I don’t know what happened, but it went in. I was in shock.”
On an off-night shooting, the Pirates’ defense kept them in the game, as it held Avon Lake to 10 points in the first half to lead, 11-10.
“(The defense) was non-stop energy,” Pfahl said. “We challenge (the players to play) hard and trust each other in practice to play team defense. They do such a great job. Avon Lake’s defense did a great job as well. It was a great defensive game.”
Patti led the Pirates with 13 points. She also had six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
“I was so upset about my shots not going in,” Patti said. “When I got that one (shot) and made it. I kept going on. (Coach Pfahl) kept telling me to keep attacking and going strong (to the basket). They said that I could beat (Avon Lake) every time, and that is what I did.”
Avon Lake was led by Brynn Bondar, who made four 3-pointers and scored a total of 14 points.
“Brynn (Bondar) is a great shooter,” Avon Lake coach Paul Appel said. “She is a senior leader, she is confident and she can really shoot the basketball. She hit big shots (for us). (Patti) hit a 3 to go up, and she hits a 3 right back. She has been a huge impact (player) for us all year.”
The victory puts Rocky River in great position for a better seed in the Division I district draw, which will be put together over the following weekend.
“I think this proves that we can hang around with Division I teams, especially because we are coming from Division II from last year,” Patti said. “I think that it is going to get a lot of coaches thinking when they are seeding us.”
Rocky River has defeated two Southwestern Conference teams. The Pirates also defeated North Ridgeville during the Christmas break.
Rocky River improved to 13-4 on the season and extended its winning streak to five games. Avon Lake lost its third game out of the last four as it dropped to 10-7.
The Pirates’ next game will be at the start of the Great Lakes Conference tournament as they will host Holy Name on Jan. 25.
According to Rocky River, they believe the close win against a Division I opponent will prepare them for the conference tournament as they could see Elyria Catholic for a third time or Westlake if the Pirates make it as far as the championship game.
“I am really excited (for the GLC tournament),” Patti said. “I think that our team is coming together a lot more than it was. With (Elyria Catholic), I am extremely excited to (potentially) play them. I am excited to see what we can do against them.”
Avon Lake will also play at home on Jan. 25 as the Shoregals will take on Berea-Midpark.
PHOTOS: Rocky River vs. Avon Lake girls basketball, Jan. 23, 2023
![The subject of this pop quiz is, “How well do you know your Cleveland Cavaliers?” “I don’t feel like I was the player I needed to be for this group,” said Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell. “I just didn’t deliver like I’m expecting myself to and my teammates and everybody expects me to. I take that upon myself. I have to be better.” Another Donovan Mitchell quote: “We’re getting good looks, but we’re not making (the shots). Then it’s also on me to get in the paint and create. Yeah, I had seven assists, but there are more potential ones. I’m […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/TNH-L-Cavaliers-Mitchell-pregame-0422-01-1.jpg?w=468 "The subject of this pop quiz is, “How well do you know your Cleveland Cavaliers?” “I don’t feel like I was the player I needed to be for this group,” said Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell. “I just didn’t deliver like I’m expecting myself to and my teammates and everybody expects me to. I take that upon myself. I have to be better.” Another Donovan Mitchell quote: “We’re getting good looks, but we’re not making (the shots). Then it’s also on me to get in the paint and create. Yeah, I had seven assists, but there are more potential ones. I’m […]")
