Streetsboro beats Kent, tightens boys basketball race
HARWELLPHOTO.COM
Guard Zach Brett and Kent Roosevelt lead Brandon Gency and Streetsboro by one game in the Portage Trail Conference boys basketball standings.

 

It was all about composure in a tense situation for the Streetsboro boys basketball team on Tuesday night when the Rockets handed the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders their first loss in the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division.

The Rockets were going up against a powerful Kent Roosevelt team that had been flawless though nine conference games this season.

For the second time this year, Streetsboro led the Rough Riders at halftime.  In the most recent meeting, the Rockets built on that lead for a 71-58 victory in front of a packed home crowd.

“The kids did a great job of not getting overhyped with the atmosphere and sticking to the game plan, and it came through,” said Streetsboro coach Nick Marcini.

With the win, the Rockets extend a five-game winning streak and now trail Kent Roosevelt in the Metro Division by just one game.

“To be in the hunt for the PTC is incredible,” said Sawyer White, who led Streetsboro with 23 points.  The 6-foot-4 senior has scored 50 points in two games against the Rough Riders this season.

Norton’s most recent success, a 76-48 victory over Coventry, keeps the Panthers one game out of first place in the division.  Led by Tyler Sherman’s game-high 25 points, Norton cruised to its third-straight victory.

Although the Rough Riders suffered their first conference loss, the team still holds sole possession of first place in the division.

“Every game is going to be huge for us,” said Kent Roosevelt coach Cameron Black. “Every team is going to come after us.” 

Kent Roosevelt has three conference games remaining on its schedule: Ravenna, Springfield and Norton.

We understand that. That’s nothing new,” Black said. “We’re going to keep doing what we do, we’re going to bounce back.”

The Rough Riders welcome Ravenna Friday night.

 Baseball: Brock among the nation’s elite

Crestwood’s David Brock received a prestigious preseason baseball award last week.

Brock, the teams’ third basemen and ace right-handed pitcher, was named as an Honorable Mention All-American as a multi-position player.

Brock is entering his senior season for the Red Devils.

The news came on Friday in Louisville Slugger’s 16th annual preseason High School All-American baseball teams.

Brock was a crucial factor in Crestwood’s first conference title since 1994 when he was a sophomore. 

 Girls hoops: Ravens gain recognition with Gibsons in lead

The Ravenna girls basketball team remains No. 4 in the Division II Associated Press State Poll with a 14-0 record following a 48-39 victory against Kent Roosevelt.

Malorie Gibson has been the team's offensive power in the Ravens' most recent successes.

 In five games since the New Year, Gibson has led Ravenna scorers all but one time.  She is averaging over 13 points per game.

Combined with Akron recruit DiAndra Gibson, who has recorded just four points fewer since the New Year, the Ravens are in good position to remain perfect with just five regular season games remaining.