'It's our time now'

NORTH BALTIMORE – Given the opportunity to win the Northwest Central Conference championship Monday against Ridgemont, North Baltimore's girls basketball team didn't find itself in a giving mood. The Tigers – who hadn't claimed a conference crown since they won the Midland Athletic League in 1990 – had already claimed a piece of the NWCC last week. Now, they wanted more. "The league championship, outright, was the main goal," said North Baltimore head coach Clinton Ebright. "We didn't want to share it. That was the motivation behind the game." Any drama was removed early. Lacie Allison – coming off a 61-point performance in Saturday's win at Sandusky – scored 11 first quarter points while her sister, Kaylee, added five points and four steals. Eight minutes in, the Tigers led 25-6. They never looked back, and rolled to a 66-24 win over the Gophers. "Our goal always is to come out hot, said forward/guard Aubrey Cotterman, who along with Kaylee Allison and Josselyn Paynter make up North Baltimore's seniors. "We try every single game to come out hot and open that door really quick." Lacie Allison didn't match her point total from Saturday, but then, North Baltimore led 52-12 at the half, meaning the third quarter began with a running clock. The standout sophomore guard still finished with 37 points, seven rebounds and seven steals. She made six 3-pointers, and early in the third, turned three steals into fast-break baskets. Kaylee Allison added 13 points, and Cotterman added eight. The Tigers made 24 of 45 field goal attempts, and were 10 of 22 from 3-point range. "We didn't even shoot (Sunday)," Ebright said. "We're just riding that hot streak of four games in six days, and everybody was in rhythm." The Tigers defense was dominant, forcing Ridgemont into 17 turnovers. The Gophers shot just 11 of 49 from the floor. "At practice, we drill defense," Kaylee Allison said. "We believe that defense wins games, so, pick it up on the defensive end and we know offense will come smoothly to us." The Tigers improved to 19-2, and ran the table with an 8-0 record in the NWCC. After the game, the players and Ebright cut down the net. "It was one of our goals, so we came in, knowing that we needed to win," Paynter said. "It was great, knowing how our past years went." It's been a long road for Paynter, Cotterman and Kaylee Allison. When they were freshmen, the Tigers won just one game. The next year, they won two, before getting 16 victories last season. "I am so beyond happy for these guys," Ebright said. "The foundation was built with them." "It's crazy to be in this position that we are, but I think we've really learned to grow and play with each other," Cotterman said. "Gotta give it to the coaches, too. We've put in a lot of work to get here, and it's paid off." Now, the Tigers will shoot for win No. 20 Saturday at Arcadia. A week later, they will open the Division II postseason by hosting Toledo Horizon Science Academy. "We really want to celebrate this win, but we also have to focus on what's coming next, because I know we can go far," Paynter said. But for one night, the Tigers were able to celebrate a title 36 years in the making. "I'm really proud of all of us, and after all those years, I think we really deserve it," Lacie Allison said. "It's our time now." Ridgemont fell to 10-11, 2-6 in the NWCC. Brilynn Rudasill led the Gophers with eight points. RIDGEMONT (10-11, 2-6 NWCC) Overly 1-0—2; Ramsey 3-0—6; Elsasser 2-1—5; Eckstein 1-0—2; Billenstein 0-1—1; Rudasill 4-0—8. TOTALS 11-49—2-6—24. NORTH BALTIMORE (19-2, 8-0 NWCC) Cotterman 3-0—8; L. Allison 15-1—37; Trout 1-1—3; Paynter 1-2—4; K. Allison 4-3—13; Benedict 0-1—1. TOTALS: 24-45—6-8—66. Ridgemont 6 6 6 6 –24 North Baltimore 25 27 9 5 -66 3-POINT GOALS: Ridgemont 0-9; North Baltimore 10-22 (L. Allison 6, K. Allison 2, Cotterman 2) REBOUNDS: North Baltimore 36 (Overly 7); North Baltimore 30 (L. Allison 7) TURNOVERS: Ridgemont 17; North Baltimore 9.