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Twinsburg senior center Malina Howard scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Tigers' six seniors led the team to a 93-31 win over Stow-Munroe Falls on Wednesday.

TWINSBURG, Ohio – Walking into Twinsburg High School on Wednesday night fans were greeted by pictures of the night’s six honorees.  Entering the gym you found balloons and signs with the names: Malina, Anna, Leah, LaShawna, Lindsay and Nichole.  Prior to the Tigers’ game against Stow a video was shown featuring seniors Malina Howard, Anna Fox, Leah Fechko, LaShawna Gatewood, Lindsay Sharilla and Nichole Mabry.

All of the Senior Night pomp and circumstance motivated the Twinsburg seniors to lead the way for a 93-31 win over the Bulldogs.

“At the beginning of the game when they were making the senior presentations, we were all still focused on the game, we weren’t like all sad,” Fechko said.  “For our last game at home, we wanted to make it a good one, and it turned out fantastic.”

The Tigers’ 93 points matched a school record for points in a game.

“This night was really important to us six seniors," Sharilla said. "We’ve been playing together for so long we really want to go out with a bang."

The all-senior starting lineup of Fox, Fechko, Gatewood, Mabry and Sharilla went to work early with a 6-0 run over the first 2:38.  At 5:22 in the first quarter All-American center, and Twinsburg’s career leader in points and rebounds, Howard came off the bench, and the Tigers (15-3, 8-0) continued to roll as the seniors kicked off the game with a 14-4 run.

“I never have (started a high school game on the bench),” Howard said.  “I just made sure I encouraged my teammates and was there for them. 

“This is it for six of us. Everyone pulled together to make it a very special night.”

Junior guard Ashley Morrissette scored Twinsburg’s first points by a non-senior with 2:19 left to play in the first quarter to push the lead out to 16-4.

After the first quarter very little was in doubt as the Tigers held a 24-6 lead.

“I try to make it as special as I can, for me it’s important to stay focused on the game,” Twinsburg coach Julie Solis said.  “But there’s sometimes more than the game.  They’ve done a lot of great things for this school and community. 

“They deserved that ceremony and they responded well to it.”

After the first quarter, Twinsburg continued to push its lead, holding at least a 20-point advantage for almost the entire second quarter, and never letting the Bulldogs within 30 points in the second half.

“Besides the state game it’s probably one of our most important games.  Because it’s our last home game that we’re ever going to be able to play together,” Fox said.

With a win at Hudson on Saturday the Tigers can clinch outright possession of the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division.

Meanwhile Stow (11-7, 3-5) looks towards the tournament and closing out their season strong.

“I have no problem with our effort, execution… a lot of that had to do with Twinsburg,” Stow coach Bob Podges said.  “We’ll get ready for our Senior Night Friday night, get ready for Solon and then the tournament.”

Stow was led by junior guard Abbie Lawon’s 10 points.

On a night when the seniors were meant to shine and scored 57 of the team’s 93 points, Fechko and Howard led Twinsburg with 20 and 18 points – all in the first three quarters, respectively.  Morrissette and fellow junior Mercedes Hobbs also turned in big nights with 14 points apiece.

In other girls basketball games:

COPLEY 42, NORDONIA 27. At Macedonia, the Indians outscored the host Knights 20-9 in the second half to seal the victory.

Kaela Drake led Copley (3-15) with 13 points. Meghan Preston scored 12, and Leah Blachaniek added 10 for the Indians.

Senior Sara Andrasik had 10 points for Nordonia.

MANCHESTER 65, CANTON TIMKEN 30. At New Franklin, the Panthers pounced on Timken early and kept their unbeaten season alive. Manchester took a 20-6 lead after the first quarter and closed with a 33-8 run in the second half.

Junior Angela Durgala scored 13 points to lead the way for Manchester (19-0, 14-0). Sophomore Kayci Krzynowek put up 16 points, and Autumn Brown recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds for Manchester.

MEDINA 43, ELYRIA 33. At Medina, the Bees led by a point at the half but closed with a 27-18 second half to win the game.

Junior Sarah Kinch scored 12 points to lead Medina (14-4, 7-1). Sophomore Casey Midlik chipped in eight points.

Elyria was led by Alex Middlebrooks’ 12 points.

MOGADORE 66, WATERLOO 54. At Mogadore, sophomore Ashley Barker scored 24 points, and freshman Grace Reilly put up 21 points as the Wildcats (5-14, 5-8) downed the visiting Vikings.

Senior Dani Brannon had 16 points for Waterloo, while junior Jamie Willis added 15.

NORTON 53, STREETSBORO 39. At Streetsboro, the Panthers rallied from 15-4 deficit to win the PTC Metro matchup.

Junior Cara Cook led Norton with 15 points. Senior Alyssa Kraus added 13 points.

Streetsboro was led by Mercedes Oliver’s 12 points.

RAVENNA 56, FIELD 39. At Brimfield Township, Ravenna started strong and overpowered the Falcons in the PTC Metro contest.

Ravenna (18-0, 13-0) was led by senior Malorie Gibson who scored 12 points. Mo-Mo Smith, a junior, added 10 points for the Ravens.

Junior Morgan Peachey was the leading scorer for Field with 11 points. Senior Emily Mortimer put in 10 points for the Falcons (10-8, 6-7).

SOLON 59, HUDSON 56. At Hudson, the Comets used a 25-15 third quarter and a 15-11 fourth quarter to edge the host Explorers.

Senior Jaime Gluesing led Solon (15-3, 6-2) with 19 points, followed by junior Martha Thompson (17) and sophomore Kristen Confroy (13).

Hudson’s Christie Wade led all scorers with 22 points. Laura Mummey and Hannah Boesinger each scored 14 points for Hudson (15-3, 5-3).

WADSWORTH 84, REVERE 24. At Wadsworth, the Grizzlies (15-3, 13-0) outscored the Minutemen 74-14 over the final three quarters to win the lopsided Suburban League game.

Four Wadsworth players scored in double figures led by senior Kara Long’s 18 points. Senior Jessie Gearhart scored 16, followed by senior Christy Cingel (11 points) and junior Rachel Goddard (10).

Senior Maria Pantich led Revere (5-13, 4-9) with nine points. Junior Gabby Vitez had eight points.