BRIMFIELD, OH- The Streetsboro Rockets (5-5) traveled to Brimfield on Wednesday evening to face off against the host Field Falcons (2-8) in a MEAC matchup. The Rockets were looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Gilmour Academy while the Falcons looked to build momentum off of their win over the Academy of Urban Scholars.
The Rockets jumped out to an 11-3 lead in the opening quarter following a three ball by sharp shooting guard Jack Batten. Field would close the quarter out on a 9-2 run after back to back buckets by Manny Smith and Ben Stayer to close the quarter. Streetsboro held a 13-12 lead after one.
Field's Grady Eader goes up for a shot in the paint for the Falcons
The start of quarter two was all Jackson Gula for Streetsboro. He scored the first 8 points of the quarter giving the Rockets a nine point lead at 21-12. After a Brayden Ronowski bucket for the Falcons ended the Gula run, Jack Batten hit a three to put the Rocket lead at double digits 24-14.
The Rockets outscored Field 7-5 to close the half fueled by two more deep balls from Batten who hit four in the first half. The Rockets took a 31-19 lead into halftime. Batten led the way with 12 points on those four deep balls.
Jack Batten drives inside for the Rockets
The third quarter started with what else, a Jack Batten three giving the Rockets their biggest lead of the game at 34-19. Batten would hit two more three's in the quarter giving him seven for the game, the last of which put Streetsboro up 43-26.
Rockets guard Jack Batten squares up for a three point attempt
The Rockets took control in the third and built their lead to 44-29 heading into the final quarter.
Ben Stayer scores inside for the Falcons
The Falcons started the final quarter hitting the first two shots, both coming from senior Nick Papiska cutting the deficit to 44-33. An and-one conversion by the Rockets Charles Ivory and a pair of free throws from Michael Berry pushed the Rocket lead out to 49-33. Field would hit a few late three's outscoring the Rockets 9-3 in the final few minutes, but it was too little too late for the Falcons. The Rockets prevailed 52-42.
Jack Batten scored 21 of his game high 22 points behind the three point line hitting seven on the night. Jackson Gula was big inside for the Rockets posting a double/double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Nick Papiska was solid in a losing effort for the Falcons with 14 points.
Next up for the Streetsboro is a trip to Coventry to face the Comets on Friday. The Falcons will look to right the ship on Friday at Woodridge.
Unofficial stat leaders:
Streetsboro:
Jack Batten: 22 points, 7 three pointers
Jackson Gula: 11 points, 10 rebounds
Charles Ivory: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block
Trevor Murray: 6 points
Field:
Nick Papiska: 14 points
Ben Stayer: 6 points, 6 rebounds
Grady Eader: 6 points
Trevor Dixon: 5 points, 5 rebounds