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After guiding Ravenna to a Division II girls basketball state poll championship last season, coach Sonny Tilden has the Ravens out to a 17-0 mark and a No. 4 spot in the state ranking.

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio – The fourth-ranked Division II girls basketball team in Ohio, the Ravenna Ravens (17-0), stayed perfect Saturday night with a 64-46 non-league win at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy.

The Ravens jumped out 24-9 after one quarter and continued to wreak havoc with their pressure defense.

“That’s always our thing,” Ravenna coach Sonny Tilden said. “Our offense starts on defense.”

Senior guard Malorie Gibson scored 12 points and University of Akron signee DiAndra Gibson overcame foul trouble to collect 11 points, 11 rebounds and five steals.

One of the leaders of Ravenna’s pressure defense is junior dynamo Moe Moe Smith.  Sporting a Ravenna-blue Mohawk hairstyle, Smith piled up 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.

(For an interview with Moe Moe Smith, Click on the VIDEO icon above)

“Moe Moe and I got in a little scuffle there, but we worked it out. Didn’t we Moe?,” asked Tilden of his star guard. “We love each other. We get into it. The thing is: we are very competitive. Aren’t we? I’ve got a good team.”

Senior guard Ashley Fortson scored 11 points for Ravenna and sophomore Justina Fortson had five steals.

The Royals settled down midway through the third quarter and applied some pressure of their own.

“It started off real quick,” CVCA senior post Cassie Wilson said. “We had to adjust to their speed – and try to get into our game.”

Sophomore guard Ashley Tyna led CVCA (14-5) with 16 points and Wilson battled inside for 14 points.