MANTUA, OH- My last game coverage of 2024 took me to Mantua where the undefeated Crestwood Red Devils hosted the Ravenna Ravens. It's been a great start to the season for the Devils who came into this one at 7-0. The Ravens were looking to bounce back from a loss to rival Kent Roosevelt on Friday night. Crestwood would come out hot and never look back on their way to a 78-44 win.
Crestwood came out on fire to open the game. Back to back three balls from Dekota Johnson and Brody Durham capped a 12-0 run to start the game forcing a Ravens timeout.
Dekota Johnson nails a corner three for Crestwood in the 1st
Curtis Ross was able to get Ravenna on the board out of the timeout and end the Crestwood scoring run. The Red Devils would score six more straight points including another three from Johnson to push the lead to 18-2. After a Jaxon Kelly bucket for the Ravens, Crestwood would go on a 12-2 run with 6 different players contributing as they opened up a 30-6 lead. Ravenna would score six of the final ten points but trailed 34-12 after one. James Durham (9), Steve Lincoln (8) and Dekota Johnson (8) accounted for 25 of the 34 point explosion.
James Durham scores inside for Crestwood in the 1st
Tykwon Ward opened quarter two for the Ravens with a three ball. Lincoln would counter with a three of his own as the Red Devils ripped off seven straight to take a 41-15 lead. The teams went back and forth trading baskets for the next few minutes before two straight inside buckets for James Durham put the Red Devils up by 28 at 50-22. A long Lincoln three to beat the halftime buzzer gave Crestwood a 57-28 lead at the break.
Steve Lincoln beats the halftime buzzer with a long three for the Red Devils
Lincoln and James Durham led the Devils with 15 points a piece in the first half. Curtis Ross was tops for Ravenna with 8.
Crestwood opened the second half scoring the first four points on buckets by James Durham and Augie Schweickert to take their biggest lead of the game at 61-28. After a Ross bucket for the Ravens, the Red Devils would outscore Ravenna 11-4 the rest of the quarter to take a commanding 72-34 lead into the final quarter.
The Ravens outscored Crestwood 10-6 in the 4th but this one had already been decided coming into the final quarter as we had a running clock for the duration.
Steve Lincoln led the way for Crestwood with 22 points and four three balls. James Durham was big inside for the Devils with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Dekota Johnson chipped in with 14. Curtis Ross led the Ravens as the only player in double figures with 16.
Crestwood looks to keep the train rolling on Friday when the travel to Rootstown. Ravenna is off until January 7th when they will host the Field Falcons.
Postgame interviews with James Durham, Steve Lincoln and coach Josh Jakacki.
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