Led by NCAA Division I commits Alexa Hocevar and Ashlyn Drayer, the Wolverines girls basketball team dominated the Bison 65-17 on Jan. 25.
Game photos click here.
Led by NCAA Division I commits Alexa Hocevar and Ashlyn Drayer, the Wolverines girls basketball team dominated the Bison 65-17 on Jan. 25.
“It was one that we really needed,” Wolverines Head Coach Brandon Stewart said. “We knew coming in on senior night, we wanted to recognize our seniors and get a win for them.
“To get this one tonight was big for us.”
The Wolverines had an early lead, 25-1, at the end of the first quarter. By halftime, the Wolverines led 41-13. And they continued their dominance in the second half, outscoring the Bison 24-4, to finish the game ahead, 65-17.
Afterwards, some of West Geauga’s seniors — Ava Bican, Zoe Cowles, Ashlyn Drayer, Alexa Hocevar, Grace Laster, Megan McGinnis, Haley Ottman and Courtney Whiting — commented on the energy and excitement within the gymnasium.
“I think it was a really good win tonight,” said Hocevar, who will continue her athletic career at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). “We had a lot of energy in the gym from our crowd and on the bench. We were ready to go for this game.”
“I think it was really good to get a win,” Ottman said.
Added Drayer, who will be playing soccer at Marshall University in the fall: “I think it was a good night to celebrate for our seniors and get a win and just bring the energy back on the court.”
Coach Stewart, meanwhile, discussed the seniors’ dedication to their sport.
“There’s eight of them, so there’s a lot,” said Stewart. “Some of them have been here all four years; some haven’t been here since their freshman year and they came back.
“We appreciate all of them. They have been great to coach. They know how important this is to them, to carry out the season as long as we possibly can.”
In order to make a deep playoff run, Hocevar will lead the Wolverines as she has done throughout her career. Against the Bison, she had three 3-pointers and led her team with 13 points, though she played mostly only during the first half.
“Alexa is the best player in our conference,” Stewart said. “Her ability to score at all three levels, rebound, pass, she just does a great job of that.”
“(She is) the second 1,000-point scorer ever in the program. Her leadership, and just her ability, has really made this program what it is.”
Hocevar added, “We are an athletic team. We’re fast, and that’s what has gotten us so far.
“It’s definitely been a fun four years. I’ve gone through a lot of coaches, we’ve all gone through a lot of coaches. Brandon has definitely made the program a lot better.”
Ottman also discussed the enjoyment and team’s success during her four years with the program.
“It’s been great,” she said. “We’ve won the CVC three out of four years.”
Also scoring double digits for the Wolverines against the Bison were McGinnis (12 points) and Ottman (10). Maggie Furst (8 points), Drayer (6), Laster (5), Whiting (5), Bican (4) and Hannah Mikulski (2) also contributed to the scoring.
