MEDINA — The second half of the Hoover High School girls basketball team’s season can’t be summed up by the way it ended.
Sure, a 59-33 loss to Olmsted Falls in an OHSAA Division II regional semifinal on Tuesday, March 3 hurt. The Vikings would have loved to move on and have the opportunity to play for a state berth.
The journey to Hoover’s first Sweet 16 berth since 2017 is always what will be remembered. Head coach Craig Nettleton’s reaction following the Olmsted Falls loss proved it.
“I’m so proud … ,” Nettleton said before he paused for a few seconds to gather his thoughts and control is emotions. “It’s really special because they’re special kids.”
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The Vikings (18-7) won nine straight games before their season ended. Prior to that, they were the only Federal League team to beat Division I regional semifinalist Jackson.
“We gave up the ‘me’ for ‘we,'” Nettleton said. “We just buckled down every practice and came ready to play. Our leadership from our seniors and our captains was just awesome. That was really what got us going on that run.”
It took one of the state’s best programs to end Hoover’s run. Olmsted Falls won a Division I state title in 2024 and made it to the Division II final four in 2025 following regional wins over Massillon and Green.
Senior Jesse Simon hit four of the Bulldogs’ nine 3s against Hoover and scored game-high 18 points. Junior Emma Schaefer finished with 14.
Olmsted Falls (21-4) outscored Hoover 18-4 in the second quarter to grab a 29-12 halftime lead. The Bulldogs pushed their lead out to 43-20 after three.
“Their defensive effort, they don’t let you cut through,” Nettleton said. “They’re bumping you and they’re physical. I think that physicality on the defensive side was the biggest thing.
“On the offensive side, it was just their ability to make deep shots. You have to come out and guard, and they’re good enough to beat you off the dribble when you have to come out that far and guard.”
Zoe McCort led Hoover with 11 points. She was part of an all-senior starting lineup that also included Jules Kreareas, Olivia Yocum, Stella Somers and Aubrey Fisher.
Chayse Horning, Alexia Zenallis and Julia Frantz are the other seniors from a class that, in Nettleton’s eyes, will leave a lasting legacy.
“They’re just on top of it,” he said. “Basketball is one thing, but also just the kids they are. As a coaching staff, it was fun to come to practice every day because of their personalities and because we knew they were going to work their butts off.”
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Regional loss does not diminish special Hoover girls basketball season
Reporting by Mike Popovich, Canton Repository / The Repository
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