Westerville North 77, Westland 56
The Warriors continue to roll and take down a solid Cougars team with a group effort
Written by 270 Hoops staff writer Greg Glasser
GALLOWAY, OH - Stop me if you’ve heard this before.
Westerville North wins another league game by double digits.
Oh you’ve heard that before? Alright then, that’s the story. On to the next.
Jokes aside, yes, the constant is that the defending Division II state champions continue to roll through their competition.
The difference on a nightly basis, however, is that North’s contributions typically come from different personnel each game. And on Tuesday, despite the 21-point final margin, the hosting Cougars showed why they can be a difficult opponent in the Division I district tournament.
That was most evident in the first quarter, when Westland took a 9-6 lead off an Uthman Sherif three until the Warriors regained the lead and finished the first period with a 14-11 score.
However, to not only beat the Warriors, but to keep close with them; you have to play close to perfect. While the Cougars were able to keep the contest within two scores through the first three minutes of the second quarter, Westerville North finished the half on a 13-2 run, capped by a three plus the foul at the buzzer from senior guard Jacob Medhane.
The Warriors would go on to hold a double-digit advantage throughout the second half, maxed out by a 30-point lead midway through the fourth before reserves came in for the final minute as Westerville North finished the season sweep of the Cougars 77-56. The outcome was nearly the identical score of the first outing which North won at home, 75-55, in mid-December.
It was the ninth straight victory for the boys from County Line Road, with those victories averaging a 26.6 margin of defeat. Tuesday night’s win against Westland came on the heels of an 18-point win over state powerhouse Cleveland St. Ignatius on Saturday and showed no signs of a victory hangover.
“That’s not who we are. We had a great practice yesterday, The kids know the deal, they care too much to [have a hangover],” Westerville North head coach Shan Trusley said after the game. “They knew that Westland was 12-3, they are in second place of the league and we talked about how Westland wants want you want, so go get it.”
