During the pandemic, the West Geauga boys basketball program went through a bit of a slump. However, last season, the Wolverines experienced a resurgence of success as former Wolverine standout Micah Young returned to lead his alma mater.
During the pandemic, the West Geauga boys basketball program went through a bit of a slump. However, last season, the Wolverines experienced a resurgence of success as former Wolverine standout Micah Young returned to lead his alma mater.
With the 2023-24 season beginning Dec. 1 against the Cardinal Huskies, the Wolverines hit the court running and defeated the Huskies, 61-24.
Coach Young attributed the success of his Wolverines in their season opener to their excellent defense.
“Competing on the defensive end will take care of everything else,” Young said. “We had great defensive intensity right from the tip.”
With the Wolverines’ high level of intensity to start the game, they got out to a quick start by taking a 21-9 lead into the second quarter.
Carson Whiting led his team in the first quarter with six points; Andrew Marino and Ryan Mobley both added four.
Troy Domen led Cardinal in the first quarter as he connected on two three-pointers for six points.
In the second quarter, West Geauga extended its lead with a 16-2 run to take a 37-11 lead into halftime. West Geauga had balanced scoring as six players scored, including Marino with six points in the second.
“The feeling is like no other to come out here and succeed,” Marino said. “We executed the game plan to a T, and the crowd energy was nice. Everyone had energy and was doing what they were supposed to do all night long.”
After halftime, Landon Lear got the first two points of the second half on a slam dunk that sent the Wolverines fans into a frenzy.
“That (dunk) lit us up,” Carson Weisman said. “You know, the fans are all going crazy, our adrenaline was pumping, and we kept getting steals and getting hyped. It was fun.”
After Lear’s dunk, he showed his versatility by coming right back down the floor and draining a three-pointer on an assist from Marino.
“I’m a shooter,” Lear said. “I have always been a shooter. I mean, that’s what I do, I shoot the ball.
“I just keep taking advantage of what I do (well).”
Added Coach Young, “I legitimately think he (Landon) is the best player in the area. He plays for a loaded AAU team. He’s on a team where he just shoots the ball and gets a ton of shots. He’s a gamer; he has a very high basketball IQ.”
With Lear’s dominant third quarter, in which he scored 11 points, the Wolverines took a 50-16 lead into the fourth quarter.
The last quarter was played with a running clock, so there was not a lot of scoring. But West Geauga outscored Cardinal, 11-8 ,in the final quarter to make the final score 61-24.
For the game, the Wolverines had four players in double figures.
Lear led the Wolverines with 13 points, while Marino and Baylan Semplak added 11 and Whiting scored 10.
In addition, Weisman (8 points), Mobley (4), James Javorek (2) and Finn Keenan (2) all added to the offensive point total for the Wolverines.
With the victory, West Geauga moves to 1-0 on the season. The Wolverines’ busy week ahead would include games against Kenston Dec. 5 and Geneva Dec. 9, while Cardinal would face Geneva Dec. 6 and Chardon Dec. 9.
