PALMYRA, OH- On Saturday night game two of the girls and boys Southeast vs Rootstown doubleheader was a matchup of two young squads looking to turn their early season struggles around. The Pirates were looking to bounce back from a home loss to Mogadore while the Rovers were trying to snap a four game losing streak. A big fourth quarter comeback led to a thrilling 57-55 overtime victory for the Pirates.
Southeast got off to a quick start jumping out to a 4-0 lead on baskets by Braedyn Walden and Joe Sharish. After a few lead changes Landon Rodstrom nailed a three for the Rovers to tie the game at 10 before Noah Zager had a put back at the buzzer to give Rootstown a 12-10 lead after one.
Noah Zager beats the 1st quarter buzzer for the Rovers
Cohen Richardson opened the scoring in quarter two for the Pirates to tie the game at 12. The Rovers would then go on a 10-0 run to open up a 22-12 lead. Ethan White hit a pair of three balls during the run.
Ethan White hits a three during a 10-0 Rootstown run in the 2nd
Before the half Dean Abdlrasul converted an and-1 opportunity putting the Rovers up 28-15. Walden was able to hit a corner three and the Pirates headed into halftime trailing the Rovers 28-18. White led the scoring for Rootstown with 8 points.
It was a back and forth 3rd quarter for both teams. Blake Mullaly started the 2nd half with a layup to put the Rovers up 32-18. Southeast would then go on a 12-4 run with Richardson and Micah Craver combining for nine of those points. The 14 point deficit was down to 4 for the Pirates. The Rovers would respond by scoring six of the final eight points to take a 40-32 lead into the 4th.
Cohen Richardson beats the 3rd quarter buzzer for Southeast
A few minutes into the 4th Southeast would cut it back down to six at 42-36 before five straight points by the Rovers that ended with a pair of Mullaly free throws would put Rootstown up 11 at 47-36 with only 3:40 remaining. It appeared the Rovers had control of the game until Southeast responded with an 8-0 run sparked by a Richardson three ball to cut it to three at 47-44.
Cohen Richardson hits a long three for Southeast early in the 3rd
After two free throws by Rovers big man Luke Flowers, it was Richardson again connecting from downtown to make it a two point game at 49-47. Flowers then went to the line again but this time split the pair putting them up by three. Joe Sharish was then fouled on a converted basket down low with under 6 seconds remaining.
Joe Sharish with the big and-1 conversion to tie the game at 50
He converted the free throw tying the game at 50. Blake Mullaly had a chance to win it for the Rovers but his three was long and off to overtime we went.
Richardson opened overtime with his fourth three of the game to put the Pirates up 53-50. After the Rovers were only able to convert one of four free throws, Devyn Miller converted both of his to put Southeast up 55-51. Rootstown came back to tie it on back to back baskets by Carson Hayn. Southeast had the chance to win the game with 13 seconds remaining. They let the clock wind down before freshman guard Caden Dillon hit a floater at the buzzer for the 57-55 win.
Caden Dillon hit the game winner for Southeast in overtime
Cohen Richardson had 26 points including those four three balls to go along with 6 rebounds. Joe Sharish had 9 points and 12 rebounds. Blake Mulally led the Rovers with 12 points.
Postgame interview with Caden Dillon, Cohen Richardson and coach Matt Dillon.
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