Garfield’s late comeback attempt falls short in 57-52 D5 Sectional Final loss to Orrville

GARRETTSVILLE, OH- On Saturday night the Garfield Lady G-MEN hosted a playoff game in a Division V Sectional Final when they welcomed in the Red Riders of Orrville. Both teams came in ending their regular season with strong finishes as Garfield won three of their last four and Orrville was on a three game winning streak. After getting down big early the G-MEN mounted a fierce 4th quarter comeback but fell short 57-52.

Orrville opened the scoring with a Brooklyn Butzer free throw split followed by a Mandy Cardinal short jumper for the G-MEN before the Red Riders went on a 15-0 run led by eight points from Butzer to open up a 16-2 lead. Cardinal would end the run with another basket. After a Red Riders bucket, Charlee Hill scored for Garfield before a Red Rider 7-2 run made it a 26-8 lead. Cardinal would score the last points of the quarter as Orrville would hold a 26-10 lead after one.

Cardinal would come out very aggressive offensively to open the 2nd as she scored eight straight points to cut the G-MEN deficit to 26-18.

Mandy Cardinal scores inside with the foul for Garfield in the 2nd

Orrville would close the half on a 10-2 run in what was a low scoring 2nd quarter. They took a 36-20 lead into the break.

The Red Riders would open the 3rd quarter scoring four of the first six points to open their biggest lead of the night at 40-22. The G-MEN would go on a short 7-2 run to cut it to a 42-29 Red Riders lead after a Riley Grace putback inside.

Riley Grace with the putback inside for Garfield in the 3rd

Following a Kayla Underwood bucket for Orrville, Cardinal would score five of the next seven including a corner three to make it a 46-34 game.

Mandy Cardinal with a corner three for Garfield

Butzer would score the final points of the quarter as they led Garfield 48-34 after three.

Kylene McMayon would open the final quarter with five straight points for Garfield making in a 48-39 Orrville lead. After a Butzer bucket, Garfield would go on an 8-0 run with six coming from Cardinal cutting the deficit to 52-49.

Mandy Cardinal splashes a three for Garfield in the 4th

Following a pair of Red Rider free throw splits, Garfield’s Payton Soltis drilled a huge three with around 40 seconds to play cutting the Orrville lead to 54-52.

Payton Soltis hits a big 3 for Garfield in the 4th

Garfield was then forced to foul and Orrville hit three of four to close it out and take home the 57-52 Sectional Final win.

Brooklyn Butzer led the Red Riders with 26 points. Mandy Cardinal was sensational in her final game scoring 31 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

I spoke with Garfield coach Aaron Gilbert and seniors Mandy Cardinal, Kaelyn Tasker and Riley Grace following the game.