At the start of the season, Kenston Bombers Head Girls Basketball Coach, Kevin Hinkle, told the Maple Leaf that his team's goal was to win the Western Reserve Conference Title.
Game photos click here.
At the start of the season, Kenston Bombers Head Girls Basketball Coach, Kevin Hinkle, told the Maple Leaf that his team’s goal was to win the Western Reserve Conference Title.
Hinkle knew that the tough non-conference schedule would lead to a challenging start.
But, he also believed that the difficult early season would prepare the Bombers for WRC success.
Hinkle was correct on both fronts.
The beginning of the season was tough and the Bombers were definitely ready to perform at a high level as they began WRC play.
In fact, the Bombers went on to win the WRC Title for the first time since 2016.
“People don’t realize how tough our schedule was the first seven or eight games,” said Hinkle. “But we understood at 1-5, that was not maybe a reflection of how good we were.
“We said just be patient.”
He continued: “They kept buying in, they kept showing up, and doing all the little things. Then the new year came, we turned the page, and went on a roll. And they just continued to work hard every day, buy in and continuously get better.”
This process focused mentality led the Bombers to seven straight conference victories and a chance to clinch the WRC Title on Feb. 3 against their rival, the Chardon Hilltoppers.
Junior Morgan Cicek said that the Bombers were very excited and motivated to take on the Hilltoppers for the title.
“Going up there, playing them for the first time (this season), and knowing the championship was on the line, we were excited all day, we came to play,” said Cicek.
In defeating the Hilltoppers, the Bombers took a 23-21 halftime lead. The contest remained extremely close until the final buzzer.
To get the victory, and clinch the title, the Bombers made a strong run in the final minutes of the contest.
“It was a dogfight and it wasn’t easy, which we love, we love a good game,” said Cicek.
Senior Mariela Macias emphasized that the Bombers played well together against the Hilltoppers and gave great effort on the defensive side of the court.
Added Coach Hinkle, “The girls just persevered, pushed through and did a great job in a tough environment. They wanted it. Give credit to our girls for doing everything they needed to get it done.”
Leading the Bombers offensively in the victory over the Hilltoppers was Cicek (12 points), Regan Trusley, (10), Aurora Young (8), Mariela Macias (7), Marissa Cerha (4), Emily Grubich (2), Trinity Osterman (2) and Kait Paystrup (1).
The Hilltoppers were led offensively by Cameron Gerlica and Cassidy Grau who both had 17 points as well as Lilli Dillworth (6 points), Rosemarie McDonald (2) and Abby Zeiger (2).
After winning the title on Feb. 3, the Bombers took on the Mayfield Wildcats two days later and then closed out the regular season with a rematch against the Hilltoppers on Feb. 8.
Traveling to Mayfield, midweek, the Bombers played well, but the Wildcats prevailed, 51-46.
Cicek continued her excellent play against the Wildcats as she had her top WRC performance of the season, dropping 21 points, including 13 fourth quarter points.
“I had three fouls halfway through the third, so the last four minutes, I rested up,” said Cicek. “My teammates cut down the lead a little bit, they kept it within range of us coming back.”
She continued: “So I knew when I came back on fresh legs. That I needed to hit all the shots, I needed to take it, and that is kind of just what I did. And they fell tonight. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough to get us a win.”
The Hilltoppers defeated the Bombers, 60-35.
Although the Hilltoppers got the victory, the Bombers celebrated their WRC title by cutting down the nets after the game.
