PERRY, Ohio – The Euclid girls basketball team escaped with a close 43-42 victory defeating Brush in the Perry district finals on Monday.
Brush trailed Euclid by five points midway into the final quarter and was able to cut the Panthers lead down to four.
Yet with two chances at the charity strip, the Arcs came up short of their goal for a finals bid.
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Euclid senior post Rayjon Harris was a staple on both sides of the floor with her ability to score and defend. Blocking shots on defense, Harris also led the Panthers scoring 12 of the team’s 20 points at halftime.
The Panthers found themselves trailing by one at the end of the first quarter after throwing passes in traffic. Brush capitalized getting into its quick offense and was rewarded with a 13-9 lead after sophomore guard Jenna Perry knocked down a 3-pointer in transition.
Brush stretched its lead to four before Harris cut it giving the Panthers a two-point advantage at the half.
Nearly midway into the third quarter, Brush jumped out to a with a 10-7 run led by after a pair of baskets by sophomore post Taelor Lester and a key three-pointer from junior guard Danajah Sanders for a 28-25 lead.
Euclid answered taking a 9-3 lead into the final quarter after a few baskets by Harris and a 3-pointer by junior guard Delana Harper to end the quarter.
The Arcs tied the game at 34 early in the final quarter, but Euclid broke away with a five-point advantage.
Within the final minute, Brush forced Euclid to commit two turnovers and send the game to the charity strip with two seconds left. The season came to an end for the second seeded Arcs unable to convert the free throws finishing the season with a record of 20-4.
Harris led all scorers with 26 points. Brush junior guard Danajah Sanders finished with 13 followed by senior forward DaJamia Martin with 11.
No. 3 Euclid (15-8) will play the winner of the No. 1 Mentor and No. 4 Eastlake North matchup the in the district finals on Thursday at 7 p.m.
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