Tallmadge takes Suburban League win over Barberton 54-45

 

(Gene Simmons - Ohsfbmedia.com)

By Gene Simmons | x.com

TALLMADGE, Ohio--In Suburban League action, the Blue Devils squeeze out a late game win over visiting Barberton 54-45.

Both teams coming in with identical records at 6-2 had something to play for, a chance to be atop the conference.

The Blue Devils took advantage of mistakes made by Barberton, making runs and finishing at the rim all night starting in the first quarter leading 13-10 at quarters end.

The second quarter of half was a battle of who was going to take advantage of possessions as the game would be tight with Tallmadge 6'6 senior Paul Rusinko leading at the end of the first half with 7 points but trailed 24-23 with runs by Barberton with true freshman Vernon Reynolds and De'Arion Holley leading the way with 6 apiece.

"So you know we were going fast ball and full game we were in the driver's seat the whole time and had to face some adversity," said the elder Rusinko 

Opening the second half the Magic would keep things close but would fail to take advantage of open layups as pressure from senior Kaden Davis would mount as he would score 13 of his 20 points in the latter half of the game.  

Tallmadge teammate Chad Rusinko would come through to seal the deal making big plays when needed finishing with 14 points to help the Blue Devils.

"We played our game." said the younger Rusinko.

But the night would belong to Kaden Davis with the game tied up he would steal the ball leading to a score and and one with 1:05 left in game that would pretty much spell the end for Barberton in a hard fought conference game. 

(Kaden Davis takes the floor)

"Just keep our foot on the gas, were up late we gave up a little run late but we just gotta stay locked in," said Davis when asked about late game play.

"We were playing really well at the beginning, doing the right things getting stops, rebounding the basketball," said Head Coach Justen Little.

De'Arion Holley would lead all scorers for Barberton with 12 and fall to 6-3 with a matchup with Kent Roosevelt, next up for the now 7-2 Blue Devils is Highland.