By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

GIRLS BASKETBALL

ROOTSTOWN 49, MOGADORE 40

In a showdown between the co-champions of the Portage Trail Conference last season, it was the Rovers that scored the early season statement victory over the Wildcats on Wednesday night in Rootstown.

The Rovers jumped out to a 19-11 first-quarter lead, then the two teams ultimately battled evenly the rest of the way.

Rootstown led 23-20 at halftime and 35-27 after three quarters, leading by as many as 13 at one point (44-31) before the Wildcats rallied back to get within striking distance.

The Rovers held off the Cats, though, and scored the big win.

The frontcourt duo of Brooklynn McIntyre and Nadia Lough proved to be too much. Each scored 13 points, with Lough hitting a pair of 3-pointers.

Mogadore’s offense was led by a stellar game from junior guard Brooklyn McIntyre. She finished with a game-high 20 points.

Amelia Morris was the top rebounder for the Cats with eight.

The game was the first PTC matchup for both teams.

TALLMADGE 29, KENT ROOSEVELT 26

In a low-scoring game, the Blue Devils found enough of an offensive spark in the fourth quarter to pull out the Suburban League victory over the visiting Rough Riders.

The first three quarters of the game produced single-digit scoring outputs for both teams before Tallmadge put together a 15-point fourth quarter that proved to be the difference in the narrow triumph.

Roosevelt was led in scoring by Katie Keller and Claire VanDamme, who both scored eight points, while Lexie Canning scored seven points and had seven rebounds for the Rough Riders.

Tallmadge’s top scorer was Lexi Gray, who had eight points.