Mentor High School Girls Basketball Team Trumps Chardon in Playoff

If there was a buzzword at Mentor's 70-53 win over Chardon, an out-of-county rival, it was execution. Steve Thompson, Mentor's passionate coach, drilled it into his Cardinals' head.

What does that mean? Hear senior Christy Cunningham.

“Well, the coaches gives us the game plan and we need to go out and do that. We see what they show us and do it. That's making layups, front the cutters, all of that.”

The Cardinals sputtered early in the first quarter and continued into the second. When Chardon's Stephanie Bartol drilled a three-point basket from 35 feet away, a one-handed throw as time expired before halftime, it seemed the Hilltoppers were in control, leading 29-26.

But things changed in the second half. The Cardinals' defense excelled in stopping the Hilltoppers' top scorers. The offense picked its spots, making key baskets at the right time, particularly sophomore Lauren Stefancic, who did not appear in the box score but whose influence helped win the game.

“We came back stronger in that half,” Mentor senior Staci Cortelezzi said. “We came out harder when we brought the pressure. We're coming together as a team right, and we're really strong.”

Forty-four points later, all in the second half, Mentor advanced and will play Willoughby South in a Feb. 24 matchup at Perry High School, a game that starts at 6 p.m.

Kali Deighan and Christine Dawson led Mentor in scoring with 17 and nine points, respectively.

“In the second half we came out strong and were executing,” Deighan said. “We got more looks. I think we are well-prepared and ready.”

Dawson, a freshman, is used to an important varsity role.

“The seniors make it easier for me,” she said. “I thought the game was better when we executed. For a while we were up and down, but we finished up.”

When asked what it was like to play varsity as a freshman, Dawson's teammates spoke first. “We love her,” said one. “She fits in really well,” added another.

Said Cortelezzi, “We're coming together as a team.”

Added Cunningham: “We have great potential.”

Mentor seems to be in the right mindset, as Lauren Funk, a senior, said the team was 1-0 when asked to update their record. “We've been doing really well, and we prepared for this game,” Funk said.