Oak Harbor first in its bracket at Battle tournament

FREMONT – Oak Harbor won each of its four games to finish first in the second-place bracket of the Battle of Fort Stephenson tournament.

More importantly, the Rockets have added depth to their rotation after advancing to the regional tournament last season. Oak Harbor topped North Coast Showtime and Next Level on Tuesday.

“Over four games, every one of the seven players had moments where they were special,” Rockets coach Tom Kontak said. “(On Tuesday), defensively, we didn’t give up many points, and that will be the difference between being good and really good.

“We’ll score.”

Oak Harbor adds 5-foot-11 freshman Logan Harris to a group that didn’t lose any girls to graduation. The Battle was Harris’ first opportunity to acclimate herself to pace and execution at the varsity level.

Harris demonstrated soft hands and touch on occasion in the post. She blocked a shot and then brought the ball up the floor on one possession Tuesday.

“Being under that basket and rebounding and getting up the court,” she said of her anticipated role. “It’s a lot of run-and-gun. You’ve got to go.”

Harris was a bit rushed and anxious as she tried to fit in.

“I wanted to get the ball in the basket,” Harris said.

Sophomore Abby Dornbusch can relate to Harris after sliding into the rotation last season.

“She’s attacking more,” Rockets senior Andrea Cecil said. “She’s more confident. She’s not that freshman she used to be. She’s driving, and the dish is open.”

The Battle offered an indication that Oak Harbor will be able to substitute more and not suffer a drop-off on the court. It can build on an early boost as it also topped Toledo Central Catholic on Monday.

“It’s a relief knowing we’ll have a seventh person,” Cecil said. “Last year, it was mostly six. To have a freshman come up to give us a break is nice. She made mistakes. Every freshman would.

“We didn’t know how we’d do. It’s nice knowing the work and conditioning and lifting and shooting pay off on the floor. It shows us how good a team we can be. We have a ton of potential.”

Fremont Ross beat St. Ursula but fell to Central Catholic on Tuesday. It beat Lima Bath on Monday.

“Whenever you play tough teams, you’re nervous and excited to see how the kids respond,” Little Giants coach Juan Vela said. “They want to compete. We learned a lot and came together as a unit as the tournament went on.”

Sophomore Jazmin Bulger responded well to an increased role after playing junior varsity last season.

“She’s having fun and competing,” Vela said. “She’s young and she’ll build on that. She’s fun to watch.”

Team Huddle beat Whitmer and Toledo Notre Dame in the finals to win the first-place bracket. Bellevue’s Jenna Strayer played for Huddle.

North Coast Showtime beat New Philadelphia on Tuesday. Margaretta beat NCO Magic but fell to Tiffin Calvert.

mhorn@gannett.com

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