ROOTSTOWN, OH- The Roverdome was the scene for a matchup of two PTC juggernauts as the 11-1 Rootstown Rovers hosted the 11-2 Warren JFK Eagles. It was a night of anticipation for the Rovers as in addition to the big conference matchup, senior Nadia Lough came in five points away from 1,000 for her high school career. After a slow start the Rovers took control in the second half for a 61-43 victory in a game that featured two Rover milestones.
Rootstown jumped out to a 4-0 lead after baskets by Sasha Nichols and Kelsey Bittecuffer.
They held an 8-3 lead after a Nadia Lough inside score putting her 3 points away from 1,000. JFK responded outscoring Rootstown 6-1 the rest of the quarter to tie it up at 9 after one. The Eagles on the ball pressure and double teams rattled the Rovers a bit in the opening quarter.
JFK started the 2nd quarter with back to back baskets by Hannah Myers and Addy Odille to take a 13-9 lead. After two Lough free throws, leaving her one point shy of the milestone, Addy Germann splashed a three ball putting the Rovers up 14-13.
After a Odille basket for JFK, the Rovers went on an 11-0 run capped off by back to back Germann three balls to open up a 25-15 lead.
During the run Nadia Lough scored her 1,000th point of her high school career. The game was stopped to acknowledge her accomplishment.
After some free throws for both sides the Rovers held a 27-18 lead at the half. Germann led all scorers with 16 points and three shots from deep.
Rootstown looked to take control in the third and that's exactly what they accomplished. Germann scored the first five points, three of which came on her fourth three of the game and the Rovers pushed the lead out to 32-18. JFK cut it to 33-22 after a GIanna Pompelia score, but Rootstown hit three straight three balls from Germann, Cloe Bengston & Kelsey Bittecuffer to open up a 20 point lead at 42-22. Didi Ryan split a pair of free throws before Bittecuffer converted an and-one opportunity for the biggest lead of the night at 45-23.
The Rovers would take a 48-30 lead into the 4th quarter after outscoring the Eagles 21-12 in the 3rd.
JFK never threatened in the 4th as they would get no closer than 17 points. Another big moment for the Rovers came with about three minutes to play when Germann hit her seventh three of the game while also being fouled and converting the four point play, tying the school record for three's in a game. It capped off a historic night for the Rovers and a big conference win 61-43 over the Eagles.
Germann led the scoring with 28 points and those record tying seven three's. Kelsey Buttecuffer chipped in with 10 points and Nadia Lough had 8 points and 9 rebounds.
Addy Odille led the Eagles with a double/double 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Rovers will be back home on Saturday to host Smithville while JFK will look to bounce back at Aquinas that same day.
Postgame interviews with Nadia Lough, Addy Germann and head coach Joe Leonard.
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