399 and Counting for Kinsley: Post-Break Green Basketball Round-Up
Boys' Basketball Loses to McKinley, Coach Kinsley Nears Milestone Win, Girls' Basketball Continues Winning Streak.
Here’s everything you need to know about Green basketball after winter break.
Boys’ Basketball (6-2, 3-2)
Last Game: 55-58 L @ McKinley (6-2, 5-0) - Jan. 5
Next Game: @ GlenOak (7-1, 4-1) - Tomorrow, Jan. 9th
Last Friday, Green made their way to McKinley's Memorial Field House to challenge their fellow bulldogs from the Federal League.
McKinley's Reed Sims Jr. blocked a three from Lucas Bitong at the buzzer, which would've sent the game into overtime.
Green had won five straight before traveling into Canton. Solid wins over Hoover, Lake, and Perry saw them rise in the Federal League standings; they then continued their streak against Solon and Copley. McKinley came off a close loss to St. Vincent-St. Mary before the holidays and returned thirteen days later to rear-end Green's road trip.
After one quarter, McKinley had an 18-10 lead; the ‘pups’ even led by 15 in the second before the power shifted into Green's hands. Green junior Antonio Martin stepped up in the second half, adding 14 points to his team-high 19. Senior Brady Rollyson had 15 points and six rebounds, with senior Luke Jansen knocking in nine points while grabbing five boards for himself. Jarrett Taylor, a senior forward, had seven rebounds of his own.
Yet, even if the final score was relatively high, Green was 1-for-11 on three-pointers; they missed six in the first quarter alone.
The host Bulldogs are now in first place in league play, with Green's Bulldogs falling into third place, tied with Jackson
Green head coach Mark Kinsley finds himself just one win away from 400 total career wins, which could be tomorrow when his team travels to Glen Oak.
Although the Golden Eagles fell to McKinley in overtime 64-61, the team quickly recovered and has now won five consecutive games. They defeated Mentor at home and Jackson in Polar Bear territory. GlenOak's defense has been quite adequate, and senior guard Ja'Corey Lipkins has a knack for making shots from anywhere on the floor.
Girls’ Basketball (6-4, 3-2)
Last Game: 48-30 W @ McKinley (4-6, 3-3) - Jan. 5th
Next Game: vs. Solon (8-2, 7-0) - Tonight, Jan. 8th
The Girls’ Basketball team has had a record-breaking last couple of games.
Before the boys took the court at McKinley, the ladies took care of business. They put up 48 points to McKinley’s 30, with junior Jenna Slates putting up 21 points. Slates had eight rebounds and broke the team record (155) for total career steals.
Junior Meredith Viar scored eight points, and sophomore Brooklyn Wood scored five while facilitating the defense.
Earlier in the week, the team defeated Howland 61-47. Slates had edged out 31 points and 11 rebounds; she was 16-18 from the free throw line. Viar had 13 points against Howland, a career high.
Key defensive players have emerged in Wood, sophomore Brooke Shocklee, and sophomore Armahni Wagler.
The team has no seniors on the roster.
The Solon team they face tomorrow is undefeated in their league play.