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Joi Williams leads CVCA girls basketball to Division III district title win over Ellet
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- Joi Williams leads CVCA girls basketball to Division III district title win over Ellet
PERRY — Joi Williams has more big games in her, but what the Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy senior did Saturday was off the charts.
As a result of a 55-37 win over 11th-seeded Ellet, the eighth-seeded Royals won their second district title in three years.
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What's next for the Division III, Northeast 4 winners is a date with Northeast 4 winner Brush, which beat Madison 64-35.
Williams passed 2023 graduate Gia Casalinova (1,749) as the school's all-time leading scorer and finished Saturday with 1,764 career points.
"When she's on your team, she instills confidence," CVCA coach Andy O'Keefe said. "She sets girls up. I'm just really proud of her."
CVCA's Joi Williams dribbles through Aurora's Brooke Pierce on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Joi Williams takes over for CVCA against Ellet when Royals need it most
There was a lot to be proud of against Ellet (20-5).
The Orangemen pulled within 30-28 with 1:26 left in the third quarter. Williams, who had 17 points to that point, responded with two assists and an old fashioned three-point play to put the Royals (18-7) up by double digits.
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Add a 15-point fourth quarter to her game-high eight rebounds and five assists and Williams was in her bag when the Royals needed her most.
"I know that these games coming up there's a chance it could be my last game," Williams said. "I just play with my teammates."
Sofia Schroeter's length will be needed when CVCA takes on Brush in a regional semifinal on Thursday.
Brush, CVCA's next opponent, has multiple scoring options
Brush, which has won back-to-back district titles, has a three-headed attack that CVCA will have to pay attention to Thursday.
Tatiana Mason, who is the daughter of former Cleveland Cavalier and Arcs coach Chet Mason, is the big star for Brush.
She averages 19.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Chaniyra McDowell-Isaacs averages 15.7 points, 4.0 steals, 3.2 assists and has help from Nyla Mason (13.2 points, 4.6 steals).
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"We can defend," O'Keefe said. "We have girls that are scrappy. They play hard, play for each other. On offense, we look to play for each other and make the right play, make the right decision. We'll take one possession at a time. We're going to compete. We're going to come out to play."
Ellet exits OHSAA district final with program statement
The Orangemen reached their first district final in school history and although it's the end of the line for Saniiya Gray, Caitlyn Holmes , Dacai Singletary, Jaeda Tavares and Eren Harmon, what the quintet did for Ellet can't be understated.
"This was a special senior class," Orangemen coach Nick Harris said. "They've changed the culture at Ellet basketball. My first year was their first year. I'm a big worker, and they completely embraced that. … Now we have young girls that are talented who have learned from them what it means to be a champion and contend at this level."
Ellet's Caitlyn Holmes eyes a free throw against Garfield on Jan. 30, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.
Holmes, who will play for Kent State next season, exits with a school record in points (1,724). She finished with 20 points and seven rebounds against CVCA.
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"I like to say there are program changers — she's a program creator," Harris said. "When I came here they were dormant. They hadn't won a city championship in 50ish years. They hadn't been to a district championship.
"She in her four years was instrumental in the change of that. She's created this to be a place as a possibility to go to. You can go Division I if you go to Akron public schools. You can become a legend in your halls. You can be a great player and help a program reach new heights."
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: CVCA High School will play Brush in a Division III Regional semifinal
