Next-game-up mentality for Reynoldsburg: 'Today was a big stage, but tomorrow is an even bigger stage'

Imarianah Russell and Mya Perry score 20 points each to lead the Raiders into the title game against Mason seeking the program's first state championship.

By Ryan Isley | Photo by Gabe Haferman

DAYTON, Ohio — Reynoldsburg took care of business Friday night with a 67-48 win over Anthony Wayne in the OHSAA Division I state semifinals at the University of Dayton Arena.

After shaking off some jitters early, Imarianah Russell and Mya Perry led the Raiders to victory with 20 points each. 

The two teammates — who have been playing together since they were in second grade — now have the chance to bring Reynoldsburg its first state title when they play Mason at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

“I have been with Mari for 11 years,” Perry said. “It’s all or nothing. We are seniors so we all want to finish and get Reynoldsburg their first state banner.”

But there is no rest for the weary, as the path to a championship for the Raiders has to go through Mason’s Kyla Oldacre. 

The McDonald’s All-American showed why she is one of the best in the state in the other semifinal, scoring 21 points and grabbing 19 rebounds in Mason’s 54-35 win over Massillon Jackson.

“We are going to have to try to keep a couple of people around her,” Reynoldsburg coach Jack Purtell said. “Make sure we have the right kids out there shooting that we want shooting for them — not (Madison Parrish). We practiced a little bit the other day and we are going to try to have somebody in front and somebody behind. I don’t want to tip my hand too much, but I think it’s just common sense.”

It won’t be the first time the Raiders have been tested this season, though. They have traveled plenty this season and played some of the toughest competition while compiling a 25-2 record along the way. 

During their travels, the thoughts of a state title danced through their heads.

“We have dreamt of this,” Purtell said. “(Assistant) coach (Dave) Butcher said it has been 140 days we have been together. Including our trip to Florida, we went to Indianapolis, we went to the Classic in the Country, we went to Pittsburgh. We challenged these kids all year.”

Those games have taught the Raiders how to play together as a team and has brought them closer off the floor as well. 

It has also exposed them to different styles of play, players of different talent levels. And the games also showed them what they needed to work on to reach their goal.

“We are able to go out and play against teams you have never heard about,” Perry said. “When we go out there, they don’t really know who Reynoldsburg is. You go out there and put everything on the floor. It exposes a lot, but it brings us together.”

The experience of big games doesn’t mean the Reynoldsburg players don’t still get a little nervous, however. As the national anthem played Friday night, they looked around and felt the enormity of the game.

“You get a little starstruck,” Russell said. “Since the beginning of the year, we have been talking about, 'We are going to states.' To really see something happen that you have been talking about, it really shocks you, like ‘We said this is what we are going to do, and we are here.'”

Even as the pregame butterflies filled their stomachs, the players came together as one like they have all season. It's part of the sisterhood that's been built through all of the ups and downs of a long basketball season.

“At the end of the day, we are all sisters, and we have each other’s backs,” Russell said. “I have my butterflies and Mya is like, ‘Come on sis, you got this.’ They do not let you go through anything on your own.”

With just one win standing between the Raiders and that state championship trophy they so desperately want, Purtell felt good about even being in a position to talk about playing for the title. 

 And while he knows it won’t be easy, the coach feels good about the group of girls he's bringing to the arena Saturday night.

“I feel fortunate to be able to win in the semifinals and have a shot tomorrow,” Purtell said. “We will have our hands full. We know that. But these kids are warriors.”

As for the players? They realized Friday’s stage was big, but not as big as the stage Saturday, when they will play in the final game of the OHSAA girls basketball season. 

But no matter the size of the stage, the Reynoldsburg Raiders are going to enter it together.

“Today was a big stage, but tomorrow is an even bigger stage,” Russell said. “Even though tomorrow is going to be nervous, we are still going to have each other’s backs. We are going to get out there and play how we play.”