by SOLON, Ohio–A balanced second-half surge proved to be the difference Friday night, as Brecksville (15-0) saw seven different players score in the third quarter to seize control of the game.
A third quarter where the Bees outscored the Comets (9-6) 26-9, starting with defensive stops that led to transition baskets for coach Steve Mehalik’s gritty team.
It was a first half where no lead felt safe. The Comets fed off the physicality senior forward Jonathan Kambani displayed against 6-foot-8 Ben Mehendale. Kambani scored the team’s first seven points of the game and no lead went higher than five points in a half that was full of 3-point shooting and foul trouble.
It didn’t take Steven Skaljac long to display his outside shot as he poured in a game-high 17 points in the first half. Mehendale wasn’t as big of a factor inside the paint as Steve Mehalik would’ve like to see throughout the half, but that forced him to try and find a rhythm from beyond the arc. By doing so, it opened up scoring lanes and second-chance opportunities for the Bees.
“It was good that we were tested at halftime as that’s a good basketball team.” Mehalik said. “We’re pretty good too.”
Skaljac scored eight points in the third quarter and Mehendale started to heat up. It was players like senior AJ Hutton, Rocco Dean and Carson Zabkar that contributed in a second half that showed up in more ways than just the box score.
Rebounding, second-chance points and relentless defense fueled a gritty second-half attack, as they imposed the same kind of dominance they’ve shown all season long.
“Steven Skaljac put the team on his shoulders,” Mehalik said. “He’s special.”
A quarter-ending 3-pointer from senior guard Evan Griech put the Bees up 57-40, ending any chance of a comeback attempt by the Coments. Skaljac’s 35 points and Mehendale’s 14 points headlined an offense that scored 44 second half points to keep its undefeated streak alive.
Nine different players scored during the win, and despite the 15–0 start, Mehalik’s group remains poised—playing with confidence while tuning out any pressure or outside noise.
“This group just tries to be 1-0 every single week and you can see that today,” Mehalik said.
“Throughout all my years, this is the most fun I’ve ever had,” Skaljac added.
For the Comets, Kambani led the way with a team-high 25 points with seven each coming from Booze and Dante Howell.
“The whole key to our team is when we get stops, we can get out and run.” Mehalik said about the style of this year’s team. “It’s amazing when you can get stops what can happen.”
