Canton, OH- The Laurel Gators and Streetsboro Rockets met for the 2nd consecutive year in the Regional Final. Streetsboro entered the afternoon looking to avenge last season's 53-32 loss to the hands of the Gators. Led by Senior and Illinois commit Naomi Benson, the Rockets and Gators, led by Junior Tristan Williams, rekindled their rivalry in the historic Canton Memorial Fieldhouse in the shadows of the NFL Hall of Fame.
Williams picked up two fouls in the game's opening quarter. Head coach Terrina Robinson opted to keep her talented guard on the floor despite the early foul trouble. Williams responded by finishing the quarter with a team high 6 points. Benson led the way for the Rockets with 7, despite a few missed free throws in the opening 8 minutes. The Gators took a 16-12 lead into the 2nd quarter.
The Rockets would take their first lead of the game during the 2nd quarter, holding a slim 21-20 advantage with 4:13 left in the game's opening half. The Gators were able to retake the lead before the teams headed to the locker rooms for halftime, holding a 25-23 advantage. At the break, Williams held the high mark for the Gators with 10, while Benson had 11 to lead the Rockets.
The Williams-Benson show turned up a few notches in the third quarter. In a back-and-forth quarter that ended with the Gators grasping a 42-40 advantage, Benson scored 10 in the frame while Williams answered with 7.
Unfortunately for Streetsboro, the tank was nearing empty as the 4th quarter opened. The Gators were able to extend their lead to 6 within the first 2 and a half minutes. That would be the closest the Rockets would be able to get, as the parade to the free throw line soon followed, leading to a score unindicative of how closely this game was played through the first 24 minutes.
The impressive win punches Laurel's ticket to the Final 4 for the 2nd consecutive year, looking to avenge last season's runner-up finish.