How Adversity Hit Mentor, but the Cardinals Hit Back in Their Division I Regional Semifinal Win

How adversity hit Mentor, but the Cardinals hit back in their Division I regional semifinal win

BARBERTON, Ohio — Mentor senior guard Nina Rodriguez dribbled the ball near midcourt with just seconds left against Canton McKinley in the Division I regional semifinals on Wednesday night, and for the first time in more than 15 minutes, she smiled.

Mentor vs. Canton McKinley girls basketball: Cardinals top Bulldogs in overtime in regional semifinal

BARBERTON — Nina Rodriguez’s ankle was throbbing when she stepped to the free-throw line with six seconds remaining in Mentor’s Division I regional semifinal against Canton McKinley on March 4. She was exhausted from a grueling game. She was limping. There was a look of excruciating pain on her face. But with history on the line, the only senior on Mentor’s roster traded the pain for the euphoria of victory. Splitting two free throws, Rodriguez …

Mentor Hangs on 44-40 In OT Win Over McKinley To Move On

The 2nd seeded Mentor Cardinals escaped with a 44-40 OT win over the 6th seeded McKinley Bulldogs in the Regional Semifinal round of the 2026 OHSAA Girls Basketball Ohio State Championships. Mentor seemed to be in control early but McKinley battled back and gave them a run for their money. Every time Mentor seemed to be running away with the game, McKinley battled hard and somehow found a way to claw back into the game. The Bulldogs overcame an …