Twinsburg Celebrates First Championship with Cheers and Tears

Katie Fox didn't want it to end.

But if it had to – if her high school basketball career had to draw to a close – this was the way to do it, as a champion.

Twinsburg defeated Fairmont 55-42 to crown an undefeated season with a Division 1 state championship. None of the players and coaches will forget this moment, but it's even more special for seniors Fox and Nicole Carman, who ended their careers hoisting a trophy and cutting down the net.

"This was what we wanted, this was our dream and this was our time," Fox said.

It was the first state title in Twinsburg history, but the Lady Tigers almost let it slip away. Fairmont's talented young bigs, Kathryn Westbeld and Makayla Waterman, were having their way down under. The Tigers couldn't get the ball in to standout center Malina Howard as much as they wanted and the outside shots weren't falling.

Coach Julie Solis' squad went into the locker room at halftime trailing by seven points.

But at halftime Solis still saw poise in the eyes of her players. She told them they were going to get the ball down to Howard and they were going to stiffen up on defense.

And that's what they did. They harried and limited Westbelt and Waterman, and Howard began to roll. She ended the first half with eight points and five rebounds. By the game's end, she had 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Another stat tells the tale. The Tigers shot 32 percent in the first half while Fairmont shot nearly 48 percent.

In the second half, the tables turned. Twinsburg shot a scorching 65 percent to Fairmont's ice-cold 17 percent.

Trailing late, Fairmont tried to press in the fourth quarter. But Twinsburg calmly played their game, took the fouls and hit enough free throws to put them over the top.

Howard, who broke the Twinsburg's scoring record this season, deflected all praise to her teammates, and said she will never forget the magical season.

"They are going to be my family for the rest of my life," Howard said. "They are my best friends, my sisters."

When the game ended, Twinsburg's players rushed the court while the student cheering section chanted: "I believe that we have won!" 

Solis, who hugged her players with tears streaming down her face, said she was at a loss for words.

"This is something I've wanted since I was a kid," she said. "I'm going to love these girls forever."

Forever, the Lady Tigers will be 27-0 and champions.

In other words, perfect.

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