Falls girls basketball finds scoring touch in rout of Roosevelt
When four players score in double figures, that usually results in a victory in high school basketball.
That is exactly what the Cuyahoga Falls girls hoops team accomplished for the first time this season Jan. 19 in a 68-38 win at Suburban League American Conference rival Kent Roosevelt.
It was the third straight triumph for the Black Tigers.
Cuyahoga Falls, which improved to 7-8 overall and 3-7 in the American Conference, led only 13-11 after one quarter but ballooned its advantage to 31-17 at halftime and then 44-27 after three quarters before running away in the fourth quarter.
“It’s great to see that kind of balance,” Black Tigers head coach Joe Nowak said. “We’re continuing to trust each other even more. We need that kind of balance and that kind of trust, especially as the postseason draws near.
“We actually trailed for probably half of the first quarter. Then we were able to rally and take a lead at the end of the quarter. We probably shot the ball as well as we have in a long time. We had 12 three-pointers, which tied our season high. Once we saw the first couple shots go in, everybody’s confidence seemed to grow throughout the game.
“I think we did a really solid job of mixing up looks defensively. We did a better job of taking away the strengths of Kent Roosevelt’s offensive attack. We had a lot of defensive energy and a lot of stops and transitioning into good looks on the offensive end. It’s a really good feeling to see us be able to put together consecutive complete performances in addition to last week.”
Leading the way for Cuyahoga Falls was junior forward Mackenzie Kramer, who scored 16 points, including four three-pointers.
“I think Mackenzie made a lot of good decisions offensively,” said Nowak. “Her shot selection was solid throughout the game, and she really let the game come to her and didn’t force things. When she can be in rhythm and when she can shoot the ball with confidence, everybody else feeds off that energy.”
Scoring 12 points apiece for the Black Tigers were senior guard Jenna Roberts and sophomores Laila Smith, a guard, and Darlene Smith, a forward. Laila Smith had three three-pointers, while Roberts and Darlene Smith each knocked down one three-pointer.
“Jenna is doing a great job of facilitating things offensively, finding people who are open,” Nowak said. “At the same time, she, over the last several weeks, has developed a lot more confidence in her mid-range game. Her ability to score more consistently now takes pressure off of Mackenzie and Laila, who a lot of times are going to be, understandably so, the focal points of opponents’ defensive game plans. But you can’t just key on two people right now because everybody is contributing.
“Laila is a solid, strong player for us on both ends of the floor. She understands the game incredibly well, and it’s a good feeling to see the work that she puts in throughout the year be able
to pay off as we head into the back half of the season. She’s continuing to play with confidence and lead by example. She just continues to produce on the offensive end.
“Darlene has been a tremendous addition to our basketball team. She didn’t play as a freshman but has come in and been a spark. She’s been someone who, since day one, has worked very hard to get better and understand what’s being asked of her. She’s a great athlete, and she uses those strengths both offensively and defensively. She’s really stepped up in the last few games, especially at very important times. We’re a lot better because of her.”
According to the coach, his team is playing with a lot of confidence right now.
“For us to be able to see the work paying off and be able to see success on both ends has just been an individual and collective confidence builder,” he said. “It’s fun to watch the girls play right now because they’re starting to maximize the potential that they have as players.”
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Falls girls basketball finds scoring touch in rout of Roosevelt
