Wadsworth senior bounces back from hit, sparks Grizzlies to regional semifinal win

Lauren Decker had eight points, six rebounds and four assists as the No. 3-ranked Grizzlies advanced to face Mentor on Saturday.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 2:52pm

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Lauren Decker, a senior at Wadsworth High School, had a standout performance in the team's 44-33 win over Massillon Jackson in the OHSAA Division I regional semifinals. Despite being knocked down and briefly seeing "black" during the game, Decker returned to the court with a band-aid on her face and continued to lead her team, contributing 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Decker's competitive spirit and trust in her teammates were key factors in the Grizzlies' victory, as they advanced to face Mentor in the regional final.

Why it matters

Decker's resilience and leadership in the face of adversity showcase the heart and determination of the Wadsworth Grizzlies, a top-ranked team in Ohio. Her ability to bounce back from a hard hit and continue to make an impact on both ends of the court exemplifies the team's depth and balanced scoring, which has been a recipe for success throughout the season.

The details

In the third quarter, Decker was knocked down on a play and briefly saw "black" before the medical trainers attended to her. However, she returned to the game just 1:46 later, sporting a band-aid on the left side of her face where it had been bleeding. Decker's insistence on returning to the game despite the injury highlights her competitive nature and unwavering commitment to her team.

  • With 2:58 left in the third quarter, Decker was knocked down and briefly saw "black".
  • Decker returned to the game just 1:46 later, sporting a band-aid on her face.

The players

Lauren Decker

A senior at Wadsworth High School who is committed to play volleyball at Robert Morris. She had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the regional semifinal win, showcasing her versatility and leadership on the court.

Andrew Booth

The head coach of the Wadsworth Grizzlies, who praised Decker's competitiveness and trust in her teammates as key factors in the team's success.

Natalie Moser

A junior on the Wadsworth team who scored 12 points with 6 rebounds and 3 assists in the regional semifinal win.

Julia Maddox

A sophomore on the Wadsworth team who had 10 points in the regional semifinal win.

Marah Minor

A senior on the Wadsworth team who had 8 points in the regional semifinal win.

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What they’re saying

“I know I can count other girls. When I went out, I wasn't really worried, even if I wasn't going to be able to go back in, because I knew my girls got me. I can trust them on the court.”

— Lauren Decker, Senior

“She's probably one of the best gamers that has ever put on the Grizzly uniform, and we've had quite a few. When the chips are down, you certainly want number 10 on your side.”

— Andrew Booth, Head Coach

“I'm just really competitive. I don't like to lose at all. I hate losing more than I love winning.”

— Lauren Decker, Senior

What’s next

The Wadsworth Grizzlies will face Mentor in the regional final on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The takeaway

Lauren Decker's resilience, leadership, and competitive spirit have been instrumental in Wadsworth's success this season. Her ability to bounce back from a hard hit and continue to make an impact on both ends of the court exemplifies the team's depth and balanced scoring, which has been a recipe for their success.