Ravenna, OH- The Ravenna Ravens boys basketball team looked to continue their great start to the 2022/23 season as they hosted the Cloverleaf Colts on Tuesday night at Ravenna High School. The Ravens came in at 10-3 on the season winners of 10 of the last 11. Cloverleaf was 3-8 having won 2 of their last 3 games.
The Colts jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead on a 6-0 run after Ravenna opened the game with the first basket by Bryce Moneypenny. After both teams exchanged three's Cloverleaf was whistled for a technical foul after having 6 players on the court after a substitution. Ravenna went on to score the next 5 points and grab the lead at 11-9 with 2:15 to play in the opening quarter that ended in a 13 all tie. Colts center Logan Forbes had some success in the paint with 6 first quarter points.
The Ravens opened quarter two with a Justice Haven jumper to take a 15-13 lead. The Colts then went on a 9-0 run spearheaded by Martin Moran and Logan Forbes to take their biggest lead of the game 22-15 prompting a timeout by Ravens coach Marlon Jones. Ravenna struck right back out of the timeout with a 7-1 run of their own. The teams exchanged buckets to end the quarter and Ravenna took a slim 26-25 lead into the half. Ravenna used a full court press and trap that forced some turnovers and helped them regain the lead. Mason Ross led the Ravens with 9 first half points while Colts big man Logan Forbes had 11 points and 4 rebounds.
Ravenna came out strong in the third quarter scoring the first 5 points after a Ross three ball. They went on to outscore the Colts 10-2 as four different players scored to open the third and take a 36-27 lead. Cloverleaf was able to cut it down to 6 before the Ravens scored the final 5 points of the third and took a 46-35 lead into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was all Ravenna as they opened on a 10-0 run highlighted by a couple Maykai O'Neal three pointers and stretched their lead out to 21 at 56-35 with 6:50 to play. Cloverleaf was not able to get closer than 15 points in the quarter. Ravens senor center Emmanuel Miller was strong on both ends in the quarter scoring 8 points and playing some solid defense in helping to hold Colts center Logan Forbes to only 5 second half points. Ravenna outscored Cloverleaf 26-15 in the fourth and 46-25 in the second half to put this one away and come out on top 72-50.
It was a balanced offensive attack for Ravenna led by Mason Ross who had 18 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. Pavel Henderson and Maykai O'Neal each chipped in 12 points while Emmanuel Miller had 8 points with 8 rebounds. Logan Forbes paced Cloverleaf with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Ravens head coach Marlon Jones had to leave after the game but I was able to catch up with assistants Jordan Jones and DaVante McKinney to get their thoughts on the win.
I also had a chance to catch up with Mason Ross to talk about his performance and the team win over the Colts.
This game recap is brought to you by Daystar Ford