by Warren, Ohio – The Warren JFK Eagles overcame an early double-digit deficit to top Mogadore, 73-67, Friday evening in a Portage Trail Conference showdown.
Mogadore was looking to build off the momentum from the girls’ team, who won 45-41 earlier in the evening.
Mogadore got off and running in the first quarter, thanks to baskets from four different players (Layne Miller, Nick Stephenson, Nick Coffman, Corey Lehner). The Wildcats also connected thrice from long range (two from Nick Coffman, the other from Miller), and raced out to a 20-8 lead. However, the Eagles clawed back, responding with a 10-2 run to cut their deficit to 22-18 at the end of one.
A pair of quick Eagle baskets later tied the score, and the Eagles eventually took the lead thanks to a Nick Ryan slam dunk off a steal. This was the first of three dunks from the sophomore forward. He and junior guard Michael Condoleon each had six points in the second quarter, and Ryan converted a layup to end the first half with JFK on top, 37-35.
In the third quarter, Warren JFK kept the pressure up on defense and led by as much as 52-47 before a Layne Miller layup at the third drew Mogadore to within 52-49.
The Wildcats found their groove in the fourth quarter from long range, as senior guard Dillon Pendergast sank three triples, including the game tying one at the start of the final quarter.
Michael Condoleon, who had 14 points in the first half, had a huge fourth as well, scoring 11 points and knocking down basket after basket. Devante Taylor and Nick Ryan each had a pair of buckets of their own. Ryan had his third jam of the evening in the final period to give JFK the lead and send the student section into a frenzy.
Warren JFK (14-2 overall, 7-1 PTC) travels to Archbishop Hoban Saturday, February 4th, afternoon for a non-conference affair. They are now locked in a tie for first place with St. Thomas Aquinas, who defeated Rootstown, 79-45. The two teams will meet on Friday, February 10th, for the conference title. The Eagles were led by junior guard Michael Condoleon, who had 25 points. Nick Ryan pitched in 16, junior guard Nico Ciminero had 15, and junior forward Jaden Rishel had 11.
Mogadore (12-4 overall, 4-3 PTC) hosts Ravenna for a non-conference contest on Tuesday, February 7th. Senior guard Layne Miller had 17 points, followed by senior guard Nick Coffman who had 14. Sophomore forward Nick Stephenson had 12, and senior guard Corey Lehner had ten.
Extended highlights here:
Mogadore Wildcats at Warren JFK (Boys Basketball) (02/03/2023) – YouTube
