by St. Joseph Academy And Girls Basketball Coach Karen Swanson-Haan Part Ways
Kent, Ohio – The Brunswick Blue Devils won a defensive showdown, 53-46, over Canton GlenOak in the Kent Regional semifinal Tuesday night at the M.A.C. Center.
GlenOak raced out to an 11-8 lead in the first quarter behind the efforts of their defense, as well as sophomore guard Issa White. He had five points in the opening stanza.
The Eagles controlled the pace and maintained the lead, utilizing the services of senior forward Reese Zerger. Zerger had six points in the second quarter and eight total in the first half.
Aidan Shaker hit a layup to beat the horn for the Blue Devils and trim their deficit to 21-20 at the half.
“We had two good teams from two good conferences going at it tonight. Once we got the lead, we spread them out and made free throws to advance.” -Brunswick head coach Joe Mackey
GlenOak led by as much as four, thanks to baskets from Katour Ashcraft and Reece Zerger. But Brunswick responded with a triple from senior forward Tommy Morgan, and then a layup by Quinn Barnett to take the lead, 25-24.
Morgan’s triple was the first of the game for the Blue Devils, who did not hit one in the first half. He sank another one and scored once more, having eight points in the third.
Sophomore guard Trey Drexler scored six in the first half, and added six more in the third quarter. The first three came on a triple, and the second three came after he drew contact on a three-point attempt before the third-quarter horn. Drexler sank all three, and Brunswick led 36-33 after three.
The Blue Devils then went on a 7-2 run to increase their lead to 43-35, buoyed by another Drexler triple. It was a big as the margin got for Brunswick, as GlenOak cut their deficit down to three late in the game.
Aidan Shaker responded with a bucket, and sank another pair of free throws, as Brunswick held on to seal the game and their first trip to the regional championship in school history. The student section stormed the court to celebrate with their team following the final buzzer.
The Blue Devils will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s Massillon Jackson-Saint Ignatius contest, also at the M.A.C. Center in Kent. Sophomore guard Trey Drexler finished with 16 points, followed by senior guard Quinn Barnett with 15, and senior forward Tommy Morgan with ten.
Canton GlenOak finishes their season at 20-7. Senior forward Reese Zerger finished with 16 points, followed by his classmates Ja’Corey Lipkins and Katour Ashcraft, who each finished with ten.
Full highlights below:
