By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Rootstown High School girls basketball team captured its third consecutive league championship on Wednesday with a 66-46 victory over host Mogadore.

The win for the Rovers clinched at least a share of the Portage Trail Conference title, with the opportunity to win the crown outright set for Valentine’s Day in a home matchup with Warren John F. Kennedy.

It is Rootstown’s 11th girls basketball championship in school history and the program’s second-ever three-peat.

The Rovers won four straight in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 as members of the Portage County League, which actually was part of a dynasty when the team won five championships in six years, adding a first-place finish in 1982.

On Wednesday, the Rovers were led by three players in double figures.

Colbie Curall led the way with 16 points, while Addy Germann buried five 3-pointers on her way to a season-high 15 points. Nadia Lough added 10 rebounds and a game-high 16 rebounds for the double-double.

Rootstown, which improved to 17-2 overall and 7-0 in the PTC, outscored Mogadore (10-11, 3-5 PTC) in every quarter, including taking hold of an 18-10 lead after the first quarter and 34-23 by halftime.

The Rovers have now won 15 straight league games, with the team’s last PTC loss coming nearly two years ago on Feb. 9, 2022 (56-52 at home against Southeast).

Germann’s five 3-pointers were part of a big night from behind the arc for Rootstown.

In total, the Rovers drained 11 3-pointers, with Curall also adding three, with Abby White, Kelsey Bittecuffer and Melanie Plecko each hitting one.

Mogadore was led in scoring by Brook McIntyre, who finished with 20 points on seven field goals and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Ari Tompkins and Ava Miller each added 10 points for the Wildcats.