'Now you taste it and you've seen it': Streetsboro boys basketball shows great improvement
WARREN — Streetsboro's strides are noticeable. The Rockets have grown in any number of ways.
Just not height-wise.
That proved problematic against 6-foot-6 senior post Jaden Payne, who tormented No. 31 Streetsboro for 26 points in No. 2 Ursuline's 64-35 Division II boys basketball district semifinal victory.
"He's much improved from last year," Rockets coach Nick Marcini said. "I thought we did a better job on him last year, but he wasn't finishing it as well [then]."
On Wednesday, the talented Payne finished through contact, swished short jumpers and wreaked havoc on the boards, demonstrating why Malone University should be very excited to get him next year.
The Rockets (15-10) showed solid improvement as well.
A year ago, a running clock was implemented in Streetsboro's sectional final loss at Ursuline. This time, though, the Rockets rebounded from a tough start to remain within 12 at the half. They finished the year with their first sectional title since 2020 and seven more wins than their 8-16 finish a year ago.
"They [have] great attitudes," Marcini said. "They play hard, they're awesome to coach, and as much as you've seen a jump from last year to this year, I expect to see just as much, if not more, to next year."
No panic for Streetsboro despite tough shooting night
If Marcini has learned one thing about this Rockets team, it’s that his seasoned group doesn’t panic.
It would have been easy to panic when a withering press forced seven Streetsboro turnovers and helped Ursuline take a 16-6 lead at the end of a quarter.
It would’ve been easy to panic after Irish freshman Jayle Gunther flew out and blocked one of the Rockets’ first 3-point attempts, a shot that would have flown unabated toward the hoop against nearly any other team they played this year.
It would’ve been easy to panic as Streetsboro suffered a 2-of-17 shooting night from deep — a real issue against a team as athletic and long as Ursuline.
The Rockets didn’t blink, cutting down on their turnovers — with two or fewer in each of the last three quarters — as they adeptly drove past the press and drew fouls.
"We were able to slow it down eventually once we got used to their press and break it down and start getting to the bucket," Streetsboro junior guard Charles Ivory said. "That's really been our goal all season because that was our main problem last year — not being able to handle tough defenses against us — so it was great to see the improvement from there."
Trailing 29-13, the Rockets responded with four straight points to end the half, as sophomore Janiere Cook's offensive board turned into a short jumper for junior Trevor Murray and Ivory drained a pull-up from just off the elbow with 20 seconds remaining. After Ursuline outscored Streetsboro 19-8 in the third quarter, senior Michael Berry began the fourth with a strong drive to the basket for a layup and later got the Rockets within 17 (50-33) courtesy of a putback.
"No matter how big they are, just keep going," Berry said. "Don't give up."
Ultimately, Payne (26 points, 11 rebounds, 11-of-15 shooting from the field, 4-of-4 shooting from the line) proved too much to handle. And when the Rockets doubled down on the senior post, talented younger players for the Irish like Gunther (12 points), sophomore Geno Lucente (11 points, eight rebounds) and freshman Noah Bell (10 points, 2 of 3 from deep) made them pay.
That was to be expected. The Irish (21-3) are the second seed for a reason.
But the Rockets left their first district game since 2020 with plenty to build upon.
"It was a good experience," Streetsboro junior Jackson Gula said of his district debut. "The crowd was in it, we were in it, good atmosphere. Obviously, it being our first time [at district], we were shook a little bit at the beginning, but now that we saw it, we know what to expect next year and hopefully can get further."
With the entire starting lineup due back, why not?
Although the Rockets are set to lose seniors Carter Baab, Jashaun Lawrence, Mehki Sims and Berry, they have plenty of returning talent.
"Now you taste it and you've seen it," Marcini said. "You see what a district championship-caliber team looks like, so now you got to work in the offseason and we got eight months to get ready to come back and do this whole thing again and hit the ground running. But we got to be in the gym. We got to get in the weight room. We're not going to get any taller so we better get stronger."
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Streetsboro hoops shows improvement despite district loss to Ursuline
