Streetsboro clings on for win in shot clock shootout over Akron Ellet

 

(Gene Simmons - Ohsfbmedia.com)

By Gene Simmons | X.COM 

CANTON, Ohio--In a back and forth battle of two solid Northeastern Ohio basketball teams, the first ever shot clock game, the Rockets would prevail over Akron Ellet 70-68.

The first quarter would be a balance between both teams as they would both play an aggressive game taking a lot of shots at the rim, team play and playing solid defenses ending the quarter tied 16-16.

Opening up the second quarter Ellet's Caitlyn Holmes would get going scoring the majority of her 17 first half points in the period with no other Orangeman in double figures still would trail despite a slow start by Illinois commit Naomi Benson who finished with 10 in the half leading by three.

It would be a tale of two halves as Ellet would come out playing fast and applying pressure, senior guard Jaeda Tavares would score the first five points of the quarter a 3-pointer that would tie the game up at 33 apiece then followed up with a open layup to take the lead for Ellet.

But Benson would get going after teammate Carlee Bedford would catch her forth foul at the 6:36 mark that would put her on the bench for the majority of 3rd quarter, Benson hitting her first shot at 5:09 of the quarter would carry her team with Ellet using pressure defense to keep it close.

"We knew the first half the refs were calling it very close, so we didn't adjust to it," said Bedford speaking on the foul trouble.

Ellet had big shots down the stretch by Royalty Crooks and Kenadie Keith to offset the 20 point second half by Benson and Bedford re-entering the game in the top of the fourth quarter, the lead would change multiple times, a Streetsboro lead with 51.4 left would be upended by a Holmes free throw with 50.8 left in the game that would tie things up.

(Chuck Cordes - Ohsfbmedia.com)

With Ellet leading with 28.2 left in game, Benson with Bedford out the game due to fouls would seal the deal for the Rockets in a high scoring game despite using a shot clock. 

Holmes finished with 36 points, Benson finished with 30.

"I realized my team was in foul trouble, I realized myself I gotta pick it up," said Benson.

Both Benson and Bedford said it was yes on the shot clock concluding interview.