1 week Ago By Mark Perez-Krywany
Avon and Avon Lake’s rivalry rematch had potential to repeat the 47-40 showdown from eight days prior. After the Eagles led the Shoremen, 15-13, to begin the second, they stepped on the gas. With a display of physical dominance, Avon soared away to a 65-47 home win.
“We really locked in on defense, and (we) have been doing that lately,” Avon coach Mike Fitch said. “We’ve been getting some big stops and scoring in transition. That was a big part of (our win).
” Avon opened the second quarter with a 12-4 run and closed it with a 7-0 run to lead, 36-21, at halftime. “We just picked up the intensity. We wanted it more.
We came out and we showed that,” Avon’s Joey Ziegler said. Avon Lake’s leading scorer Cam Moore (15 points), scored eight, with a pair of assists in the first quarter. The Eagles were determined to stop the Shoremen’s scoring threat and held him to 10 points by halftime.
“If we are going to lose to (Avon Lake), it is not going to be because of (Moore),” Avon guard Nolan Good said. “We are not going to let him single-handedly let him beat us. They are going to have to let other guys score.
” Avon’s rebounding numbers towered over Avon Lake’s. With a 42-28 advantage on the boards, it primed second-chance points opportunities (14 offensive rebounds). Sam Toniolo grabbed 13 rebounds to pair with his eight points.
Good scored 17 points to be Avon’s top scorer. Ziegler also scored 11 points. “We got downhill and squared our shoulders to the basket and finished.
We had a lot of and-1s,” Fitch said. The second half was much closer, as Avon outscored Avon Lake, 29-26. The Shoremen made adjustments, but could not make a run to get back in the game.
“(Avon) was going to make a run. Then, we had to make our run. We just did not get enough shots to go (in) to get our run going,” Avon Lake coach Eric Smith said.
Avon won its third game in its previous four matchup, two of which came against the Shoremen to complete the sweep. The Eagles improved to 7-7 (5-5 in SWC). Their next game will be at home against Gilmour on Jan.
28. As the Shoremen came off a 63-57 win against Midview on Jan. 24, the Shoremen reentered the loss column and dropped to 2-13 (2-7 in SWC).
Avon Lake will be at home as well to take on Lorain (Jan. 28). Avon 65, Avon Lake 47.
