STREETSBORO, Ohio- The Norton Panthers traveled to Streetsboro to take on the Rockets in an early season in conference matchup. Last season Norton and Streetsboro split the series evenly, each winning a game. However the Rockets started this season off by getting the best of the Panthers and moving to 1-1. The Rockets defeated Norton 51-44.
The Panthers won the tip off and started out hot, holding Streetsboro scoreless while they put up the first eight points. At the 2:46 mark the Rockets turned it around. Jack Batten hit a three for the Rockets first points of the game and followed it up shortly with a jump shot from the top of the key. Norton held onto the lead the rest of the first quarter keeping a 12-10 lead.
“Our offense started off slow and then Jack hit that three and we started clicking,” Coach Nick Marcini said. “Our defense forced them to the paint the whole time. They couldn’t get a single shot off from behind the arc.”
Norton opened the second quarter with a quick three. That shot would be the only one they make for a while. Streetsboro went on a 13-0 run taking a 23-15 lead before the half. Norton fought back scoring six unanswered points to make it a two point game going into halftime.
Norton started with the ball in the second half and tied it up on the first possession. Both teams offenses got going in the third quarter with Norton scoring 12 points and Streetsboro scoring 18. Streetsboro held the largest lead of the game at 13 points when they went up 39-26 at one point in the third.
The fourth quarter was a hard fought defensive battle. The Panthers held the Rockets to just 10 points in the fourth while they scored 15. The Panthers clawed back into the game making the score 44-41 at one point before eventually falling apart. Norton missed a wide open three that turned into two technicals due to a player's reaction. The foul shots given from the technical proved to be very critical in Streetsboro’s win as they put the game away.
Streetsboro’s next game will be at home Saturday December 9th at 5:30 p.m. The Rockets will take on Nordonia. Norton's next matchup will take place at home against Carrollton on Sundayat 3:30 p.m.
Streetsboro Rockets leading scorers:
Jack Batten 18 points
Charles Ivory 11 points
Michael Berry 10 points
Norton Panthers leading scorers:
Zach Bowman 14 points
Noah Willig 11 points
Luke Dobbins 11 points
Comments