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Twinsburg, Ohio – It was a gritty defensive slugfest through three quarters at Twinsburg High School.
But the Hoban Knights showed their mettle and pulled away when it mattered most.
Thanks to a 16-2 run in the fourth quarter, Hoban advanced to the District final for the first time since 2017 with a 46-38 win over Aurora.
The first quarter was a defensive slugfest between both teams. Logan Vowles scored all eight for the Knights, including two triples. Derek Blum had the opening bucket to get things started for the Greenmen. Behind stiff defense, the score was tied at 8 going into the second quarter.
Hoban outscored Aurora 6-4 in the second quarter, behind Vowles and Jonas Nichols. Vowles’ layup followed Jon Ugran’s game tying layup on the previous possession. The Knights took a 14-12 lead going into the halftime break.
Aurora took the lead briefly in the third quarter thanks to a Jack Cardaman triple. But Hoban responded with a 7-0 run behind a free throw and triples from Logan Vowles and Andrew Hardman.
The Knights would lead by as much as eight before the Greenmen made a late charge. Despite a five plus minute scoring drought, Aurora rallied back, closing the quarter on a 6-0 run, to the delight of their student section. They trimmed the Hoban lead to 26-24 going into the final quarter.
The Knights, however, pulled away in the fourth.
Timely baskets from Jay Crable and Jonas Nichols helped to increase the Knight lead to 33-26 midway through the quarter. They would further pad their lead to 42-26 just over a minute later, thanks to impressive and gritty defense.
Although Aurora trimmed their deficit one last time, it was too little too late as Hoban secured the win.
Junior guard Logan Vowles had 16 points (and four triples) to pace the Knights. Fellow classmate Jay Crable had 11 (including seven in the fourth), and sophomore Jonas Nichols had nine.
Aurora was led by senior Jack Cardaman’s 17 points. He sank all five triples for the Greenmen. Senior Derek Blum followed with eight.
Hoban (18-7) advances to play Massillon Jackson in the Twinsburg District championship game Saturday afternoon.
Aurora finishes their season at 12-12.
