The girls basketball team opened their season with a dominant 56-22 victory over the Barberton Magics on Nov. 21. 

With a comfortable lead throughout the game, the Bison overwhelmed the visitors with a third quarter surge that put the game out of reach and highlighted the Bison’s depth, defensive toughness and scoring ability. 

Junior Marley Readance, who plays guard and forward, described the team’s goals before the game.

 “Our Goal as a team is to win,” she said. “We want everyone to just be a cohesive group, all be on the same page.” 

“[We want to play] just a clean, good game,” she added.

Beachwood came out hot from the opening tip and gained a 16-6 lead by the end of the first quarter with aggressive perimeter defense and fast break scoring. 

They maintained the momentum as the game headed into the second quarter. Barberton started to settle in, trading baskets and keeping the margin feasible as Beachwood edged them 12-11 with a couple minutes left in the period. 

At halftime, the Bison held a 28-17 advantage, leaving the Magics within striking distance.

The  hopes of a Barberton comeback faded with an assertive third quarter performance from the Bison, who scored 22 points in the third quarter while holding Barberton to just three, turning a manageable 11 point lead into a blowout. 

The Bison offense attacked from all angles with tough transition layups and confident perimeter shooting, while the defense forced repeated turnovers, deflections and broken possessions from the Magics. 

By the end of the quarter, Beachwood led 50-20, clinching the game with 8 minutes left to play.

As the fourth quarter came to a close the Bison took their foot off the gas and rotated in bench players, but still outscored Barberton 6-2 to reach the final 56-22 margin. 

This win demonstrated Beachwood’s great ball control and defensive dominance. 

Readance was proud of the team’s performance. 

“I think it was a good way to start off the season,” Readance said after the game. “They weren’t as strong as we thought but we are both developing teams.”

The victory also showed the potential of Beachwood’s underclassmen. Sophomore point guard Zoe Walters was Beachwood’s leading scorer with 29 points. 

Walters led the way for the Bison, attacking open gaps and setting up open teammates. 

Readance added spark for the Bison, snagging tough rebounds and hitting clutch shots, while sophomore forward Ali Stephens and sophomore guard Sorah Segal contributed key defensive stops and off-ball movement. 

Beachwood controlled momentum from start to finish, rarely allowing the Magics to gain  momentum or create sustained offensive runs. Long stretches of the game showed Barberton struggling to pass the ball cleanly or generate consistent scores at the basket. 

For Barberton, this loss extends their 16-game losing streak dating back to last season. 

Beachwood’s dominant 56-22 win sends a message about their potential this season. 

 “My whole team motivates me, I also think we all motivate each other,” Readance said before the game. “We just want to start off the season on a good note” 

At publication the Bison are 2-1 with a 55-45 victory against Rhodes on Nov. 25 and a tough 74-40 loss to Fairview on Dec. 2.

 They face Brooklyn at home tomorrow night at 6:00.