ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Jan. 7, 2025) -- A deep, talented, and veteran-laden five from Lakewood High School routed the Pirates in their flip-of-the-calendar January debut Tuesday. With superior efficiency at both ends of the floor, the Rangers clocked a 75-41 triumph over Rocky River in the first of two Cleveland West Conference meetings this winter between the two programs.
Rocky River (6-4, 3-2 CWC) was outshot 55% to 36%, out-rebounded 35-19, and was a minus-7 in turnovers (17-10) in what marked the program's largest margin in a defeat since March 5, 2021 (63-20 loss to Holy Name).
The contest was never in doubt, with Lakewood (9-2, 6-0) riding hot shooting and ball-hawking defense throughout. Sophomore forward Riley Verderber's strong inside game vaulted the visitors to a 15-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Rangers would also find their range around the perimeter. For the night, they would shoot 35% (7-of-20) from beyond the arc and 65.7% (23-of-35) on 2-point looks.
Lakewood outscored Rocky River 23-15 in a high-octane second stanza and led 38-22 at the half. The Buccaneers would shoot just 28% (7-of-25) the rest of the way and be unable to muster any significant counters to the 10-handed Ranger danger around every corner.
In closing out the eventual 34-point victory, LHS posted its sixth straight conquest. All six have been by double digits.
Verderber and senior guard Luke Vannucci were the Rangers' leading scorers. Each filed 16-point efforts. Vannucci's line was bolstered by a 4-of-7 performance from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Lucas Seguine chipped in with 8P, 5R, 5A, and 3S. Thirteen Lakewood athletes -- including eight seniors -- played in the game; all 13 found twine.
The Rangers forced 17 Pirate turnovers and made good use of the thievery, logging a 27-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Double-R got 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from junior guard Jacob Radcliffe. Sophomore guard Brandon Nazette added nine points.
The rout at Rocky River Gymnasium broke a string of three close series games in a row. The previous three bridge battles (2022-24) had been played within seven points either way. The Pirates and Rangers will tussle at LHS Feb. 4.
The Tuesday tilt at the Pirate Palestra marked the first of three Rocky River games this week. The Maroon & White will play a weekend double with the Buccaneers traveling to Normandy Friday (7 p.m. start time) and then hosting North Olmsted Saturday (7).
So, the calendar flip was unkind at the start, but the Sons of Blackbeard have an opportunity to rally and quickly get back to a brand of basketball that saw River register six straight wins from Dec. 10-28.
by Skip Snow
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