RICHFIELD, Ohio- Revere High School was the scene of a great battle on Tuesday evening between the host Minutemen and Barberton Magics.
With 53.4 seconds to go, Revere calls timeout after De'Arion Holley hits a jumper to make the lead 57-53 for Barberton. From there, Barberton would escape the foul battle and pull away with a 60-56 win. De'Arion Holley led Barberton with 23 points, eight rebounds, and one block. Holley shot 9/15 from the field tonight, including 3/4 from beyond the arc. Kameryn Kennerly, who made the free throws to end the game, finished with 19 points, three rebounds, and one assist. Kennerly shot 8/11 from the line tonight and 1/4 from beyond the arc.
"Kam's been our best defender all year; he's our best shooter, best three-point shooter, and our best free throw shooter. He's honestly our most consistent player," Coach Chad Hazard said. "Kam's kind of our staple, really solid; we always put him on the other team's best player. We always try and get it to him when they're fouling us, and he's the only guy to make a three for us, too. Kam's not scared of the moment; he's hit free throw after free throw when it matters most, and Holley has been a star for us all year. I can say the same for both of them; neither of them shies away from the biggest moments; that's how you know you have a great player."
After tonight's win, Barberton has improved to 18-2 on the season and 18-1 since their season opener loss. Barberton is currently on a seven-game winning streak.
"It's unreal, man! I've been coaching a long time...I've been coaching 20 years. I've coached a lot of really great teams, a lot of talented teams. This team isn't up there on the talent level, but on the grit, the toughness, and you know, the team camaraderie, they're up there with the best I've ever coached," Coach Hazard mentioned. "To win that many close games is just a test for them. We're comfortable when it's uncomfortable. We play these games every week. I don't know whether it's divine intervention or just a test to mentor our effort, but whatever we're doing, it's working."
Revere and Barberton played a hard-fought match at the start of the season, with Revere coming out on top 61-60. Barberton and Revere did not disappoint once again, going back and forth all night. The biggest lead of the entire night was five points for Barberton.
Barberton and Revere ended the first quarter tied at 20 as both teams' offenses were clicking. The second quarter was different as both teams defenses were stellar and Barberton entered halftime up 32-29.
Revere started off fast in the third quarter, regaining their footing and tying the score up again at 43. The fourth quarter featured multiple lead changes before Barberton ultimately pulled away when De'Arion Holly hit a jumper to put them up 57-53.
Coach Hazard and Barberton will look to continue their win streak when they travel to Highland on Friday, Feb. 16th. Tip-off will occur at 7:30 p.m.
Revere will host Tallmadge on Friday, Feb. 16th, at 7:30 p.m. Revere hopes to rebound after a tough loss to Barberton.