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Parma Heights, OH- Holy Name is now one GLC win away from clinching a second straight title following their 84-59 victory over Bay.
Bay started out strong in the first quarter. Brendan Spellman and Tommy Mack got things going for the Rockets as they jumped out to an early 4-point advantage. However, it would be the 3 ball that brought the game back to Holy Name. Adam Humenik started off with two 3’s of his own and Max Bollin added another. Drew Styers supplemented the play from beyond the arc with 7 points inside of it. Defense was another key point as the likes of Humenik and Andrew Cole pitched in with some steals. Bay kept things tight heading into the second as they trailed 20-19.
Holy Name started to take control of the game in the second. With the score 24-24, the Green Wave proceeded to go on a 7-0 run. This forced Coach LaRiccia of Bay to burn a timeout. While the Rockets came out of the timeout sharp, it was only enough for them to get within 3 points of HN. Their big three of Bollin, Styers, and Humenik continued to score at will as they posted a combined 38 points in the first half, 18 of which came in the second. Collin Melvin began to settle in for Bay as he connected on a triple along with 2 free throws. The introduction of Evan Alexy to the mix for the Rockets led to 3 points while also adding a commanding force in the paint. With around a minute left to play in the first half, Bollin committed a technical foul after bumping into the back of a Rocket. Holy Name led by 7 in the dying moments of the half, but it was Bay who had the last shot. That was until Cole got a steal and drove down the court and scored as time expired to take the Namer advantage up to 40-31. This basket by Cole provided the first points the Green Wave scored from someone outside of the Big Three.
Holy Name kept the pressure up to begin the second half. In the third, HN scored 4 triples. This took care of 12 out of their 23 total points in the quarter. Bay may have connected on one less from beyond the arc this quarter, but the Moneyball accounted for 9 out of their 14 points. Max Cockburn was held to 2 points in the first half, but he added 4 in the third quarter. Heading into the final frame, the Green Wave led 63-45.
The fourth quarter was full of fouls. Overall, Bay had 12 shots from the line in this frame. Holy Name kept things going offensively as the big 3 all cracked the 20 point mark. When this happens, HN is undefeated. Joe Lewis had 4 points of his own this quarter in the paint and Brody Boyert closed out the game with a triple The Rockets had some of their younger talents such as freshmen Emmitt Naughton and Brody Beggs get minutes down the stretch along with Ethan Sedivec who played sporadically throughout the first three quarters. However, this night would belong to the Green and White as they took care of Bay 84-59.
This game was originally supposed to be played on January 19, 2024, but snowstorms postponed the game. However, HN made the wait well worth it. When they return to the court next, it could be the game they clinch the final ever GLC title. With a win over Lakewood, Holy Name will become back-to-back champions. Adding onto this, the game against the Rangers is senior night for HN. If Lakewood wins, then a win against Buckeye will still get the job done for the Green Wave. Bay has a chance to take down Elyria Catholic for the second time this season at the Coliseum Friday night.
Bay Key Players
#3 Brendan Spellman: 7 Points
#10 Max Cockburn: 10 Points
#12 Collin Melvin: 16 Points
Holy Name Key Players
#3 Drew Styers: 23 Points
#4 Max Bollin: 22 Points
#12 Adam Humenik: 26 Points
Player of the Game: Adam Humenik
