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Parma Heights, OH- Holy Name opens 2024 with a statement 71-40 victory over Valley Forge behind a fast start led by Drew Styers’ 26 points.
The first quarter was dominated completely by the Green Wave. They would go on a 9-0 run to get things going before Valley Forge called time. Terry Robinson Jr was able to draw a foul soon after and prevent Holy Name an opportunity for a kill shot, going 2 for 2 from the free throw line. From there, Holy Name went on a 6-0 run to give them a 15-2 advantage. Cam Wadsworth interrupted the run with a field goal to bring the game back within 11. However, a 12-0 kill shot followed which was capped off by Max Bollin putting the ball off the glass and in to close out the first quarter. Styers posted 13 points and Adam Humenik added 7 as the Green and White ended the first up 27-4.
The second quarter brought more of the same for Holy Name, but Valley Forge got the offense going a little. Tyler Chong knocked down the Patriots’ only triple of the half. Robinson and Wadsworth both added field goals while Nick Mankins and Eddie McTear II added 2 free throws a piece. For Holy Name, Styers took flight as he had back-to-back slams. Heading into the half, the junior would have 23 points to his name. Christian Camargo added a pair of triples as the Green Wave led the Patriots 46-15 going into the locker room.
The third quarter started off with a moment no one in attendance will forget. Styers had the ball in transition driving down the home side when McTear shoved him as he went up for a layup. This led to Holy Name’s Andrew Cole sending McTear to the ground. Both Cole and McTear were ejected along with Camargo. This situation could’ve escalated way further if it wasn’t for both coaching staffs, athletic directors, and officials taking proper measures to ensure the situation settled down. While the victor will be remembered, make sure to leave a spot in your memory to recall what these unsung moderators did. This quarter would be back and forth in comparison to the first two. Lewis backed up his big day rebounding with 6 points in this quarter. Humenik added his final 7 points to take his tally to 15 on the night. Mankins began to heat up as he posted 6 points this quarter, equaling Hayden Moser’s tally. Heading into the fourth, the Green Wave led 66-32.
The fourth quarter saw Holy Name put in their rotation players. The likes of Danny Stibley, Collin Hall Johnson, Jovanni Nieves, Aaron Riley, and Brody Boyert all played down the stretch. Valley Forge used this to their advantage and put up 8 points as Mankins added 6 and Jaden Johnson provided the other 2. Hall Johnson converted a triple and Aiden Butler scored a field goal for the Green and White in the final frame. Stibley brought down a rebound to seal the 71-40 victory as time expired.
Holy Name had a fire lit beneath them heading in and they used it to fuel their performance. This win ends a two-game losing streak for the Green Wave. Up next for 5-5 Holy Name is Lakewood away on Tuesday. Valley Forge falls to 2-7 and looks to bounce back at Buckeye Tuesday night.
Valley Forge Key Players
#1 Hayden Moser: 6 Points
#4 Nick Mankins: 14 Points
#12 Tyler Chong: 8 Points
Holy Name Key Players
#3 Drew Styers: 26 Points
#10 Joe Lewis: 7 Points
#12 Adam Humenik: 15 Points
Player of the Game: Drew Styers
