AL's 6th-Grade Team Wins Lake Erie Travel League

Avon Lake’s sixth-grade girls basketball team won the Lake Erie Travel League regular season Championship with a perfect 10-and-0 record.

The team plays in the most-competitive “A” league.

Our strength was our pressure defense," coach Ron Jantz said. "We allowed an average of only 12 points per game during the season. Ball movement and balanced scoring were also keys to our success."

Jantz said the team consistently had nearly every girl on the team score points in every game. 

"Our biggest victory was a 22-to-21 win over Olmsted Falls," Jantz said. "Both teams were undefeated and we won on a 3-point shot by Amber Achlaidis at the buzzer. It was a great game and an instant classic.'

The Lake Erie Travel Basketball League is comprised of teams from communities all over northeastern Ohio including Brecksville, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Westlake, Amherst, Lakewood, Bay, Avon and Strongsville.

For Jantz and the team, the 10-0 record was icing on the cake.

"It is not often you get to experience a championship league season and even more rare an undefeated one," Jantz said. "The girls really were committed to each other and the team. It was a true team, in every sense and it showed on the floor."

The team is comprised of Elle Dils, Jamie Coughlin, Natalie Appleton, Allie Heschel, Kelsey Simmerly, Elizabeth Murdock, Caroline Jantz, Amber Achlaidis and Paighton Masterson. 

The team is coached by Ron Jantz, Amy Lodge and Maggie Heschel.