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Kent, Ohio – To say that the long-range game was working Tuesday night at Roosevelt High School is a massive understatement.
The Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders hit 13 triples on the way to a 78-59 victory over visiting Akron Ellet to open up OHSAA postseason play.
Late in the first quarter, both teams were tied at nine a piece. Seniors Desmeal Leigh and Jayden Reynolds each had buckets to give the Riders the lead. They would end the first quarter up 15-9.
In the second quarter, the Riders offense took off.
Five different players each hit at least one triple. Jayden Reynolds and Tyrel Ellington each connected from long range early in the stanza. Senior forward Collin Garner hit a pair of triples, and Blake Green added one late in the first half.
In all, the Rough Riders had eight first half treys, six of them in the second quarter alone. This pushed their lead to 39-25, to the delight of the home crowd.
However, Akron Ellet would not go down without a fight.
The Orangemen went on a 7-0 run, thanks to buckets by junior guards Trevor Ingham and Chase Merring. They cut the deficit to 39-32 before a Blake Green basket ended the run.
Roosevelt then countered with a 15-7 run through the third quarter to push their lead to 56-39 to end the quarter. Six different Rough Riders scored, as the pace increased.
In the fourth quarter, the Rough Riders pulled away, thanks to a jam by Seth Bowser, and triples from Kevin Ina and Karim Butler. Their lead would stretch to as much as 27 before the final horn sounded.
In all, ten different Rough Riders scored on the evening, led by senior forward Desmeal Leigh’s 15. Senior forward Kevin Ina had 14, with four triples, and Seth Bowser pitched in ten.
Kent Roosevelt (13-8) advances to play at top-seeded Green on Saturday night.
Akron Ellet finishes its season at 10-12. They had three players in double figures: Trevor Ingham (18), Chase Merring (12), and Jackson Taylor (10).
Check out extended highlights below:
