by Bainbridge Township, Ohio – The Kenston Bombers clinched a share of the Western Reserve Conference crown with a 75-62 win over Chardon.
After spotting the guests a 2-0 lead, the Bomber offense got going in the first quarter, thanks to their long range game.
Anthony Yohman had three triples in the first, and ten points total. Nate Cowoski and Andy Kooser each added a triple to add to the Bomber lead. However, Chardon cut their deficit to 21-14 at the end of the quarter.
Kenston continued their hot shooting in the second quarter.
The Bombers went on a 14-0 run to increase their lead to 35-14. They had eight total triples in the first half, and their lead was 43-24, thanks to their long range game.
But Chardon would not go down without a fight.
The Hilltoppers started the second half on a 6-0 run to cut their deficit to 43-30. Nathan Tager and Nate Sulka each made baskets during the stanza. Chardon also utilized the press to force Kenston to turn the ball over multiple times.
Despite not hitting a three in the quarter, the Toppers trimmed their deficit to 48-38 late in the third.
However, baskets by Nick Kowoski and Rourke McGrath pushed the lead back up to 57-42 at the end of three.
McGrath also had a jam in the third that sent the Kenston Krazies student section into a frenzy.
Chardon made one last run of it, cutting their deficit to 60-51 with 4:38 to play. It was the first time they were within single digits since the start of the second quarter.
However, the Bombers managed to hold serve and keep the lead through the end of the game. Senior guard Andy Kooser had eight points in the fourth as another key contributor on the evening.
At the end of the game, the student section stormed the court to celebrate with the Bombers basketball team, who clinched their first conference title since 2015.
Three players finished in double figures for the Bombers Friday night. Senior Andy Kooser had 18 points, followed by Anthony Yohman’s 16. Justin Ford had 14.
Chardon was led by senior and Youngstown State football commit Nate Sulka’s 22, and Nathan Tager’s 20.
Kenston closes the regular season at 14-6 overall and 10-2 in the WRC. They will play the winner of Solon/Akron North next Saturday night in the Twinsburg District.
Chardon closes the regular season at 13-7 overall and 6-6 in the WRC. They host West Geauga Tuesday night in a sectional semifinal of the Boardman District.
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